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The SAPIEN 3 is the only transcatheter heart valve commercially available for compassionate transcatheter mitral valve replacement in patients with previous mitral surgical rings and mitral annular calcification (valve in ring [VIR] and valve in mitral annular calcification [VIM]). Reported outcomes have been inconsistent or poor. The review provides an overview of the authors' approach to achieve largely consistent results despite the intrinsic limitations of SAPIEN 3 VIM and VIR. The approach includes bedside modifications of the valve implant, the delivery system, and of the cardiac substrate itself. Until purpose-built devices are readily available, VIR and VIM procedures will require aggressive multidisciplinary cooperation, meticulous planning and execution, and postprocedure management by experienced, high-volume operators.

We report on a 50-year-old female patient, with several severe comorbidities and high-surgical risk, in whom we successfully performed a simultaneous transcatheter pulmonary and tricuspid valve-in-ring implantation to treat both bioprosthetic pulmonary valve dysfunction and native torrential tricuspid valve regurgitation, the latter previously managed with a Carpentier annuloplasty ring.

Valve degeneration after surgical tricuspid valve replacement or repair is frequent and may require repeat replacement/repair. For high-risk patients, transcatheter valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring procedures have emerged as valuable treatment alternatives. Preprocedural transthoracic echocardiography is the method of choice to detect malfunction of the prosthesis including degenerative stenosis and/or regurgitation requiring reintervention. Subsequently, computed tomography is helpful for detailed anatomical analysis and periprocedural planning. Device selection and sizing depend on the size and structural details of the implanted ring or prosthesis. The procedure is mainly guided by fluoroscopy; however, transesophageal echocardiography provides complementary guidance during device implantation. Preferred access route is the right femoral vein but in cases of more horizontal implants a jugular approach might be feasible. Suitable transcatheter valves are the Edwards Sapien 3 and the Medtronic Melody valves. Differences in surgical prostheses or annuloplasty implants are important for device selection, height consideration and additional ballooning prior to or after implantation. Transesophageal echocardiography postimplantation is convenient for the assessment of transvalvular gradients or paravalvular leaks. Supplementary Information The online version of this article (10.1007/s00508-021-01842-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Undersized rigid rings represent an unfavorable anatomy for valve-in-ring (ViR) procedures due to the high chances that the transcatheter prosthesis cannot fully expand to seal the commissures, remaining deformed at the same time. A 76-year-old woman with recurrent secondary mitral regurgitation (

Transcatheter valve in ring implantation has emerged as a viable alternative to redo surgery in patients with degenerated annuloplasty rings. 1 However, the safety of the procedure depends on the t...

We report the case of a man with recurrent decompensated right-sided heart failure secondary to severe tricuspid regurgitation after tricuspid annuloplasty. He was unfit for repeat surgical intervention and thus was considered for a valve-in-ring transcatheter heart valve. We detail the procedural complexities encountered and our approach to overcoming them. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.), Graphical abstract, We report the case of a man with recurrent decompensated right-sided heart failure secondary to severe tricuspid regurgitation after tricuspid…

With explosive growth in the field of transcatheter therapies in recent years, transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation has rapidly emerged as a viable, low-risk alternative to high-risk redo surgical interventions. The authors review the fundamental clinical principles of transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation as pertinent to the procedural steps and technique.

Bioprosthetic mitral structural valve degeneration and failed mitral valve repair (MVr) have traditionally been treated with reoperative mitral valve surgery. Transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐valve (MVIV) and valve‐in‐ring (MVIR) replacement are now feasible, but data comparing these approaches are lacking. We sought to compare the outcomes of (1) reoperative mitral valve replacement (redo‐MVR) and MVIV for structural valve degeneration, and (2) reoperative mitral valve repair (redo‐MVr) or MVR and MVIR for failed MVr. A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to July 31, 2020. Thirty‐two studies involving 25 832 patients were included. Redo‐MVR was required in ≈35% of patients after index surgery at 10 years, with 5% to 15% 30‐day mortality. MVIV resulted in >95% procedural success with 30‐day and 1‐year mortality of 0% to 8% and 11% to 16%, respectively. Recognized complications included left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (0%–6%), valve migration (0%–9%), and residual regurgitation (0%–6%). Comparisons of redo‐MVR and MVIV showed no statistically significant differences in mortality (11.3% versus 11.9% at 1 year, P =0.92), albeit higher rates of major bleeding and arrhythmias with redo‐MVR. MVIR resulted in 0% to 34% mortality at 1 year, whereas both redo‐MVr and MVR for failed repairs were performed with minimal mortality and durable long‐term results. MVIV is therefore a viable alternative to redo‐MVR for structural valve degeneration, whereas redo‐MVr or redo‐MVR is preferred for failed MVr given the suboptimal results with MVIR. However, not all patients will be candidates for MVIV/MVIR because anatomical restrictions may preclude transcatheter options from adequately addressing the underlying pathology.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is now a mainstay of treatment in patients with aortic stenosis who are considered intermediate, high and prohibitive risk for surgery. Extended use of this innovative platform in treating other conditions has led to its approval in treating degenerated aortic bioprosthesis. Similarly, use of transcatheter devices in treating degenerated mitral bioprosthesis and failed mitral valve repairs with annuloplasty rings has opened a potential alternative to surgery in these patients. Experience in mitral valve-in-valve (MVIV) and valve-in-ring (VIR), while still limited, is on the rise. Although similar in many ways to the aortic VIV, it is different with respect to patient selection, planning and procedural steps. Familiarity with the bioprosthetic properties and dimensions can help an operator choose an appropriate transcatheter device and deploy it in an ideal position. Due to greater variability in construction and properties, mitral rings have led to poorer results compared to mitral valve-in-valve. Understanding the properties of mitral rings is critical and has been simplified by us in a stepwise manner. We also describe steps in patient preparation and procedure, which should help operators in performing this procedure. Certain unique complications, such as left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and risk of embolization, are discussed with tips to address these issues. Once these steps are followed, the procedure can be performed with minimal risk and good outcome.

Tricuspid valve dysfunction is a clinically significant problem for many patients with both congenital and acquired heart disease. Transcatheter valve-in-valve therapy to treat existing tricuspid bioprosthetic valve deterioration is an important addition to structural interventions that may be offered to patients.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is emerging as an alternative to surgical mitral valve replacement in selected high-risk patients. Delaying definitive mechanical mitral valve replacement and the constraints of anticoagulation thanks to TMVI may be an attractive option in young women contemplating pregnancy and suffering from failure of mitral bioprosthesis or annuloplasty. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility, safety, and outcomes of pregnancy after TMVI in this population. Methods: From 2013 to 2019, 12 young women contemplating pregnancy underwent transseptal valve-in-valve or valve-in-ring TMVI using the Edwards SAPIEN XT/3 valves and were prospectively followed up at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and yearly thereafter. Results: Mean age of the patients was 30±6 years. Bioprosthesis degeneration was observed in 7 cases and annuloplasty failure in 5. Three valve-in-ring patients required the implantation of a second valve, which led to an overall procedural success rate of 75%. One delayed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction required elective surgical mitral valve replacement. At 6 months/1 year, 83% of the patients were in New York Heart Association classes I/II. Mitral regurgitation was ≤2+ in all the cases and mean gradient was 7±2 mm Hg. Four patients could complete 6 full-term pregnancies. One symptomatic thrombosis occurred and resolved under aspirin and anticoagulation therapy. All others pregnancies were uneventful. Predelivery mean gradient was 11 mm Hg, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 32 mm Hg. There were 4 vaginal deliveries and 2 cesarians. Newborns were alive and healthy. At last follow-up, there was no death, and 3 patients required elective surgical mitral valve replacement at 6- to 54-month follow-up. Conclusions: Our study suggests that, in young women, transseptal TMVI to treat failing bioprostheses may result in good short-term outcomes that allow uneventful pregnancies. The results are less favorable in women with failed annuloplasty rings.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve replacement using aortic transcatheter heart valves has recently become an alternative for patients with degenerated mitral bioprostheses, failed surgical repairs with annuloplasty rings or severe mitral annular calcification who are poor surgical candidates. Outcomes of these procedures are collected in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology/Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry. A comprehensive analysis of mitral valve-in-valve (MViV), mitral valve-in-ring (MViR), and valve-in-mitral annular calcification (ViMAC) outcomes has not been performed. We sought to evaluate short-term outcomes of early experience with MViV, MViR, and ViMAC in the United States. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry. Results: Nine hundred three high-risk patients (median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 10%) underwent MViV (n=680), MViR (n=123), or ViMAC (n=100) between March 2013 and June 2017 at 172 hospitals. Median age was 75 years, 59.2% female. Technical and procedural success were higher in MViV. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction occurred more frequently with ViMAC (ViMAC=10%, MViR=4.9%, MViV=0.7%; P P =0.004) and 30-day mortality (MViV=8.1%, MViR=11.5%, ViMAC=21.8%; P =0.003) were higher in ViMAC. At 30-day follow-up, median mean mitral valve gradient was 7 mm Hg, most patients (96.7%) had mitral regurgitation grade ≤1 (+) and were in New York Heart Association class I to II (81.7%). Conclusions: MViV using aortic balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves is associated with a low complication rate, a 30-day mortality lower than predicted by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, and superior short-term outcomes than MViR and ViMAC. At 30 days, patients in all groups experienced improvement of symptoms, and valve performance remained stable. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02245763.

Objectives We performed a meta-analysis of transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) for deteriorated bioprosthetic valves (valve-in-valve [VIV]-TMVI) and/or failed annuloplasty rings (valve-in-ring [VIR]-TMVI), comparing observed early (30-day) mortality with predicted operative mortality. Background It remains unclear whether VIV/VIR-TMVI reduces mortality as compared with redo MVS. Methods MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched current through 24 July 2018 using Web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID) to identify studies including ≥10 patients undergoing VIV/VIR-TMVI. For each study, data regarding observed 30-day mortality and predicted operative mortality (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality [STS-PROM]) were used to generate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study-specific estimates were combined using the inverse variance-weighted average of logarithmic RRs in the random-effects model. One-group meta-analyses of 30-day/late (including 30-day) mortality rates were also performed in the random-effects model. Results Of 270 potentially relevant articles screened initially, 17 eligible studies including a total of 1017 patients undergoing VIV/VIR-TMVI were identified. In all but four studies, the STS-PROM was available and varied from 7.7% to 22.0% (weighted mean, 11.5%). Pooled analyses of all VIV/VIR-TMVI studies demonstrated the 30-day mortality rate of 5.4% (95%CI, 4.0-6.8%), the midterm (1- to 5-year) mortality rate of 13.7% (95%CI, 9.0-18.5%), and significantly lower observed 30-day mortality than predicted operative mortality (RR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.49-0.91; P = 0.01). Conclusions VIV/VIR-TMVI brought about relatively low early and midterm (1- to 5-year) mortality, and observed 30-day mortality was significantly lower than predicted operative mortality.

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) has been performed in high-risk and inoperable patients for degenerated mitral bioprostheses (TMVIinV) and failed annuloplasty rings (TMVIinR). TMVIinR is more challenging compared to TMVIinV because of the differences in dimensions, shapes, and contours between rings and valves. In this report, we present two clinical cases of TMVIinR that were treated by trans-septal implantation of a balloon-expandable prosthesis. In TMVI cases with an incomplete ring, the ring will be stretched out toward its anterior and commissural side, and the open side of the ring will increase in width. The ring may not transform in line with the shape of the transcatheter heart valve (THV) and an interspace can develop between the THV and the ring at the commissural side, resulting in significant paravalvular regurgitation. Our experience suggests that the circumferential completeness of the rings may be an important factor to consider when planning a TMVIinR.

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the acute feasibility and short-term efficacy of mitral valve repair using the MitraClip device in patients with prior surgical repair. Mitral regur...

Objectives This study sought to describe the results of transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-ring (TVIR) implantation for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Background Off-label use of transcatheter valves within surgically placed tricuspid annuloplasty prostheses has only been described in small reports. An international multicenter registry was developed to collect data on TVIR implantation. Methods Data were collected from 13 sites on 22 patients (5 to 69 years of age) with TR who underwent catheterization with the intent to perform TVIR implantation. Results TVIR implantation was performed in 20 patients (91%). Most patients were severely impaired (86% in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV); TR was severe in 86%. A Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) was implanted in 17 patients and a Melody valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota) in 3. There were no procedural deaths. There was 1 valve embolization requiring retrieval and placement of second TVIR implant and 1 valve malposition with severe paravalvular regurgitation requiring a second TVIR implantation. Over a median follow-up of 12 months, 1 patient died and 2 underwent repeat TVIR implantation, 1 of whom subsequently underwent surgical valve replacement. Significant paravalvular leak (PVL) was treated at the time of TVIR implantation in 4 patients: 3 underwent device occlusion and 1 received a second TVIR implant. On follow-up echocardiography, 15 patients had PVL (75%), the majority of which (n = 10) were trivial or mild and did not require treatment. PVL intervention was performed in 3 patients during follow-up. Functional capacity improved in most patients (70%). Conclusions TVIR implantation using commercially available transcatheter prostheses is technically feasible and clinically effective in reducing TR. Paravalvular regurgitation is common and may necessitate further interventions.

Aortic regurgitation after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a well-described problem that decreases the clinical effectiveness of LVAD therapy and may eventually prompt consideration of aortic valve replacement once the regurgitation becomes severe. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an attractive, less invasive option compared with surgical aortic valve replacement in these patients. We report a valve-in-ring transcatheter aortic valve replacement for a patient with severe aortic regurgitation associated with LVAD destination therapy. Our case demonstrates that this approach is feasible in humans and can yield excellent clinical results.

There is a growing practice of transcatheter treatment of failed mitral valves after cardiac surgery, including valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring. Although commonly successful, these procedures can be associated with device malposition (including delayed malposition) and elevated post-procedural gradients (especially when performed inside small surgical valves). Valve-in-ring procedures have elevated risks of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and post-procedural regurgitation. Careful patient selection and meticulous evaluation of patient anatomy and surgical implant characteristics are essential to achieve optimal clinical results with mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation.

We present the case of a high-risk patient with symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation following a surgical annuloplasty ring. An inverted aortic Edwards Sapien 3 bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) was successfully implanted through a transapical approach inside the previously implanted annuloplasty ring.

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is a relatively novel intervention used to replace the mitral valve of individuals deemed too high risk or unsuitable for surgery. It is associated with a number of specific risks, including left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). In this video tutorial we present the case of a 75-year-old man who was unable to undergo redo surgical repair and had a number of risk factors for LVOTO. To minimize these risks, we deployed the TMVI within the anterior mitral valve leaflet. The postoperative result was mild mitral valve regurgitation and no LVOTO. The long-term outcome of this approach is yet to be determined but we believe this technique offers a novel method to manage a select group of patients suffering with mitral valve disease and at risk of LVOTO.

A 40-year-old female with previously repaired tetralogy of Fallot had recurrent severe tricuspid regurgitation with a para-ring leak after annuloplasty ring placement. Because of multiple prior sternotomies and co-morbidities, she was not felt to be a surgical candidate. Percutaneous placement of an oversized SAPIEN 3 valve-in-ring in the tricuspid position successfully treated the regurgitation and para-ring leak.

Post-surgical deterioration of mitral valve repairs or replacements may present a clinical dilemma due to the high-risk nature of repeat surgery. Recent advances in transcatheter techniques and surgery have enabled the implantation of balloon-expandable valves in the mitral position when surgical rings and valves are present. Valves may be implanted either via transseptal or transapical access, with a reported success rate between 88-100 %.

Transcatheter aortic and pulmonary valves have been used to treat stenosis or regurgitation after prior surgical tricuspid valve (TV) replacement or repair. Little is known about intermediate-term valve-related outcomes after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR), including valve function, thrombus, and endocarditis.The authors sought to evaluate mid-term outcomes in a large cohort of patients who underwent TTVR after surgical TV repair or replacement, with a focus on valve-related outcomes.Patients who underwent TTVR after prior surgical TV replacement or repair were collected through an international registry. Time-related outcomes were modeled and risk factors assessed.Data were collected for 306 patients who underwent TTVR from 2008 through 2017 at 80 centers; 52 patients (17%) had a prior history of endocarditis. Patients were followed for a median of 15.9 months after implantation (0.1 to 90 months), with 64% of patients estimated to be alive without TV reintervention or a valve-related event at 3 years. The cumulative 3-year incidence of death, reintervention, and valve-related adverse outcomes (endocarditis, thrombosis, or significant dysfunction) were 17%, 12%, and 8%, respectively. Endocarditis was diagnosed in 8 patients 2 to 29 months after TTVR, for an annualized incidence rate of 1.5% per patient-year (95% confidence interval: 0.45% to 2.5%). An additional 8 patients were diagnosed with clinically relevant valve thrombosis, 3 in the short term, 2 within 2 months, and 3 beyond 6 months. Only 2 of these 8 patients received anticoagulant therapy before thrombus detection (p = 0.13 vs. patients without thrombus). Prior endocarditis was not a risk factor for reintervention, endocarditis, or valve thrombosis, and there was no difference in valve-related outcomes according to TTVR valve type.TV dysfunction, endocarditis, and leaflet thrombosis were uncommon after TTVR. Patients with prior endocarditis were not at higher risk for endocarditis or other adverse outcomes after TTVR, and endocarditis occurred with similar frequency in different valve types. Though rare, leaflet thrombosis is an important adverse outcome, and further study is necessary to determine the appropriate level of prophylactic therapy after TTVR.

Mitral regurgitation is a complex disorder involving a multitude of components of the mitral apparatus. With the desire for less invasive treatment approaches, transcatheter mitral valve therapies (TMVT) are directed at these components and available at varying stages of development. Therapeutic advancements and the potential to combine technologies may further improve their efficacy and safety. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement, while preserving the mitral apparatus, may emerge as an alternative or even a more suitable treatment option. In addition, early data on transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring implantation are encouraging and this approach may be an alternative to reoperation in the high-risk patient. This review details the expanding functional mechanical designs of current active TMVT.

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation is a relatively novel intervention that replaces the mitral valve of individuals deemed too high-risk or unsuitable for surgery. It is associated with a number of specific risks, including left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. In this report, we present the case of a 75-year-old man who was unable to undergo redo surgical repair and had a number of risk factors for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. To minimize this risk, we deployed transcatheter mitral valve implantation within the anterior mitral valve leaflet resulting in mild mitral valve regurgitation postoperatively and no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Long-term durability of this approach is yet to be determined, but we believe that this intervention adds to the armamentarium of the heart team.

Tricuspid valve (TV) disease is mainly represented by functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR), which is a predictor of poor quality of life and increased mortality. Transcatheter therapies are attractive alternatives for the increasingly older and high-risk patient population with native TR or with failing surgical tricuspid valve replacement or annuloplasty (valve in valve and valve in ring procedures). At the present stage, different open issues are still under discussion, including clinical and anatomical patients selection, imaging guidance, technical aspects and how to report the outcomes of these new therapies.

To the Editor, Over the last few years we have become aware of the adverse impact of tricuspid regurgitation on morbidity (worse quality of life, hospital admissions…) and mortality with the corresponding increase in the number of interventions performed on the tricuspid valve both surgically and percutaneously.1,2 From the surgical point of view, the most widely used technique for the management of tricuspid valve disease is repair with an annuloplasty to reduce the size of the ring and facilitate leaflet coaptation, usually with incomplete rings, in an attempt to spare the septal conduction system. Short-term results are satisfactory in most cases but according to the series published so far, up to 25% of the patients show moderate or severe regurgitation at 5 years. Overall, we are talking about patients of great complexity, multiple comorbidities, and several prior cardiac surgeries with the corresponding surgical risk, which is why the development of percutaneous coronary intervention techniques may be a great ally. Currently the treatment of tricuspid valve dysfunction through valve-in-valve procedures is the percutaneous treatment of the tricuspid valve for which we have more and most successful experience. The percutaneous implantation of valves in dysfunctional rings are usually procedures with a series of difficulties...

Bioprosthetic valve use has increased significantly. Considering their limited durability, there will remain an ongoing clinical need for repairing or replacing these prostheses in the future. The current standard of care for treating bioprosthetic valve degeneration involves redo open-heart surgery. However, repeat cardiac surgery may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With the rapid evolution of transcatheter heart valve therapies, the feasibility and safety of implanting a transcatheter heart valve within a failed tissue valve has been established. We review the historical perspective of transcatheter valve-in-valve therapy, as well as the main procedural challenges and clinical outcomes associated with this new less invasive treatment option.

Recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) may occur after mitral annuloplasty and reoperation may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recently, transcatheter mitral valve-in-ring procedures via the transvenous, transatrial, and transapical routes have been shown to be a feasible