Clinical Research Directory

Smartphone Based Digital Screening for Aortic Valve Stenosis

Heart valve diseases are among the most serious cardiovascular conditions in older age. One of the most common forms is aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing of the valve opening between the left ventricle and the main artery. As the valve becomes tighter, the heart must work harder and harder to pump blood through the body. This process often develops slowly over many years and initially causes no clear symptoms. As a result, the condition is frequently detected only in advanced stages, when warning signs such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness appear. Without treatment, aortic valve stenosis can become life-threatening. If detected early, however, very effective treatment options are available today. Up to now, the disease has been reliably diagnosed mainly through echocardiography. Yet this method is complex, costly, and requires specialized medical staff. A simple, affordable, and broadly accessible screening option does not yet exist. The interdisciplinary clinical research project explores whether conventional smartphones could fill this gap. Almost all modern devices are equipped with sensors such as microphones, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. These can capture both heart sounds and subtle vibrations of the chest. The research team is investigating whether reliable diagnostic information for the diagnosis of aortic valve stenosis can be extracted from such recordings. To achieve this, the signals are processed with newly developed methods and analyzed using artificial intelligence. For the study, several hundred patients with and without valve disease will be examined. The smartphone results will be compared with established diagnostic standards, particularly echocardiography, to test accuracy and reliability. If successful, the approach could enable a straightforward, digital heart check at home using nothing more than a conventional smartphone. Such a tool would provide an accessible, low-cost, and widely available method for early detection, helping more people receive timely and potentially life-saving treatment.

TAVI in LOW RISK in the REAL WORLD

The primary objective is to assess all-cause mortality, the occurrence of stroke, or rehospitalization for cardiovascular causes in low-risk "all-comers" patients following percutaneous aortic valve replacement

EMPagliflozin After Aortic Valve Replacement

The study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blinded trial in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). After AVR, patients will be randomized 1:1 to empagliflozin (SGLT2i) or placebo to investigate whether empagliflozin is superior to placebo in reducing left ventricular mass and improve symptoms to 6 months.

Von Willebrand Factor Point-of-care Testing to Improve Minimally Invasive TAVI Outcomes

Paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) is an important complication of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) that is associated with a 2.5-fold increase risk of mortality. Transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) is considered as the gold standard to assess the severity of PVR and guide the physician to perform corrective procedures during TAVI, but it requires general anesthesia (GA). With such approach (TEE+GA), the PARTNERII trial has demonstrated that very low rate of PVR (3,5%) can be achieved with current devices. Registries have demonstrated a strong trend for using a mini-invasive approach in which the procedure is performed under conscious sedation (CS) without TEE. However, several studies raised concerns on the safety of this mini-invasive approach concerning the PVR rate. Thus, the accurate and real-time assessment of the presence and severity of PVR is an unmet clinical need to optimize TAVI without TEE guidance. A recent study reported that a blood biomarker reflecting the Von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity, i.e. the closure time with adenosine diphosphate (CT-ADP), is a valuable non-invasive, highly reproducible, and easy to perform alternative to TEE for PVR evaluation. The hypothesis is that the measurement of CT-ADP during TAVI performed without TEE guidance can improve both the detection of significant PVR and thus the procedural and clinical outcomes (primary objective).

Routine Versus Selective Protamine Administration to Reduce Bleeding Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (POPular ACE TAVI)

Heparin reversal by protamine administration after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may reduce bleeding events. However, protamine can also cause life-threatening allergic reactions. High-quality evidence regarding the clinical safety and efficacy of routine protamine administration after TAVI is lacking. The aim of this clinical trial is to determine if routine protamine administration, compared with selective protamine administration, reduces the risk of all-cause mortality or clinically relevant bleeding within 30 days after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

CAPTURE-2: Controlled Arterial Protection to Ultimately Remove Embolic Material

The objective of this study is to demonstrate safety and efficacy of the EmStop Embolic Protection System when used as indicated to capture and remove thrombus/debris during self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

The Effect of Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis and Prosthesis Type on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Degeneration (POPular PET TAVI)

A multicentre cross-sectional cohort study to assess the difference in bioprosthetic micro-calcification activity, detected with 18F-NaF PET-CT, as early marker of transcatheter valve degeneration, between patients with vs. without subclinical leaflet thrombosis at five years after TAVI; and between patients with intra-annular vs. supra-annular TAVI prostheses.

Randomized Trial of TAVI vs. SAVR in Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis at Low to Intermediate Risk of Mortality

Randomized controlled, multi-center trial randomizing patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis at low to intermediate operative risk of mortality in a 1:1 fashion to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) to test, whether TAVI is non-inferior to SAVR, as measured by all-cause mortality or stroke after 1 and 5 years.

REdo Transcatheter Aortic VALVE Implantation for the Management of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Failure

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a key-hole technique to replace an aortic heart valve that is narrowed and/or leaking. Although TAVI is a safe and effective treatment for a faulty aortic heart valve, the new TAVI valve will not last forever. Because it is a 'tissue' valve (made from the lining of a cow or pig heart), the valve will fail after a period of time as the tissue degenerates. When the TAVI valve fails, a viable treatment option is to perform a 'Redo TAVI' procedure, implanting a second TAVI valve inside the first failing valve. The main purpose of this study is to carefully evaluate patients being treated by Redo TAVI in order to document the short-term and long-term outcomes of the procedure. The study will also obtain information about which factors predict those outcomes. The study will also assess outcomes in patients who present with TAVI valve failure but are not suitable for Redo TAVI, and instead are treated either by open-heart surgery and surgical aortic valve replacement, or by medical therapy (medication). The study will provide doctors the information they need to understand the best way to treat patients who present with TAVI valve failure, and in particular how to perform Redo TAVI procedures with the best possible outcomes for patients.

Post-Dilatation in Balloon-Expandable TAVI Prostheses

Asymmetrical and inadequate expansion of transcatheter heart valves (THVs) have been described as a key predictor of impaired valve hemodynamic performance predisposing patients for bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD) and death. Post-dilatation using the original delivery system balloon at the identical filling volume after deployment of balloon-expandable THVs represents an invasive strategy to potentially optimize expansion and reduce asymmetry of balloon-expandable THVs. Currently, the efficacy and safety of routine post-dilatation has never been assessed in a randomized controlled fashion. The present randomized controlled DUOTAP trial aims to assess efficacy and safety of routine post-dilatation on THV expansion, hemodynamics, durability, and associated clinical outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Safety Profile Evaluation of TICagrelor Alone Compared to a Combination of Lysine Acetylsalicylate-Clopidogrel in the Context of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is now the method of choice to treat aortic stenosis in old and frail patients. Antiplatelet therapy must be associated for the procedure and during few weeks after implantation in the aim to minimize cerebral embolization. But for now, the best antiplatelet regimen has to be determined. In this context, investigators want to evaluate the safety of use of ticagrelor alone versus standardized therapy which involves lysine acetylsalicylate and clopidogrel. In this study, we will randomly compare 154 patients in each group in terms of early safety (30 days) after the procedure.

ENVISION IDE Trial: Safety and Effectiveness of NAVITOR in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The objective of ENVISION is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Navitor Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) System for treating patients with symptomatic, severe native aortic stenosis who are considered intermediate or low risk for surgical mortality. The trial will also evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Navitor TAVI System in a valve-in-valve (ViV) application in patients with symptomatic heart disease due to failure of a surgical or transcatheter bioprosthetic aortic valve who are at high or greater surgical risk. In addition, the trial will assess the safety of the Navitor TAVI System for the treatment of symptomatic, severe native aortic stenosis in patients with bicuspid aortic valve anatomy, irrespective of surgical risk classification.

Structured Shared Decision Making for Patients Undergoing SAVR or TAVR

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis regardless of surgical risk. While TAVR and SAVR share some of the benefits and risks, they importantly differ with regards to invasiveness, time to recovery, hemodynamics, as well as options for re-intervention and possibly valve durability. An early benefit of TAVR may be offset by late risks. Therefore, current guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology recommend an integration of patient values and preferences for the selection of the treatment modality. The objective of the TOGETHER trial is to investigate the efficacy of a structured shared decision making approach (SDM) to improve patient-centered outcomes for the choice between SAVR and TAVR. TOGETHER is an investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, single-center clinical trial. A total of 140 patients referred for treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and deemed to undergo TAVR or SAVR according to heart team decision will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to structured SDM or usual care.

Medtronic Evolut Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Low Risk Patients

The study objective is to demonstrate that the safety and effectiveness of the Medtronic TAVR system as measured by rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at two years is noninferior to SAVR in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis in subjects who have a low predicted risk of operative mortality for SAVR. The purpose of the expanded use addendum to the Medtronic TAVR in Low Risk Patients Trial protocol is to conclude the randomized phase of the trial and initiate the single-arm, non-randomized, continued access phase of the trial.

Hydra Single-centre Experience - Copenhagen, Denmark

The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TAVI using the Hydra transcatheter aortic valve (THV) series, in patients with severe aortic stenosis up to 1-year after the procedure. Additionally, the study will assess the role of geometry in the development of new conduction abnormalities based on the analysis of post-operative CT scan at 1-month in patients who had undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a self-expanding Hydra THV series.

Hydra Registry - Italy Experience

Hydra-IT is a multicenter observational study aim to collect clinical, procedural and follow-up data and evaluate the short, medium and long term results of Hydra TAVI System in patient with severe aortic stenosis.

Hydra Registry - UK

The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the Hydra transcatheter aortic heart valve (THV) series, in patients with severe aortic stenosis up to 1-year after the procedure. This will include an evaluation of the preservation of coronary access post implant by attempting to selectively engage both the right and left coronary arteries through standardised angiographic views. The study will also examine the utility of 72 hours of post discharge remote ambulatory continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring using the novel Checkpoint Cardio System where it is clinically appropriate.

COronary Re-engageMent aFter randOm NavitoR alignmenT (COMFORT STUDY)

Whereas PCI before TAVR was previously recommended despite its uncertain prognostic role, recent data underline the possibility of a postponed coronary intervention using a commissural alignment technique. This approach allows easy coronary re-engagement through the valve stent frame with a trade off paid of procedure complexity. Considering the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the increasing percentage of younger patients treated with TAVI, investigate whether a simpler procedure with random implantation of Navitor valve is not inferior in terms of coronary re-access, is required The key point of the project will be the evaluation of the feasibility of coronary re-engagement after a Navitor valve randomly implanted.

Ischemic And Bleeding Risk Assessment After TAVR

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) represents an effective treatment to improve symptoms and prognosis in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) (1-2). Giving an established uniform approach towards anticoagulation and antithrombotic therapy after TAVR in the post POPULAR-TAVI era, recent data coming from the analysis of different trials, highlight the relevance of the patient's background on the occurrence of ischemic and bleeding events. Despite this a targeted antithrombotic strategy remains unexplored and all patients undergoing TAVR without other indication to DAPT or OAC, were currently treated according with the concept of "less is more" (only SAPT or only OAC) regardless the risk level (5-6). The keys points of the project will be 1) the assessment of ischemic and bleeding risk after TAVR stratified according with antithrombotic therapy and surgical risk; 2) the evaluation of the impact of prostheses type and the complete blood count variables (hemoglobine and platelets) on the daily average ischemic and bleeding risk and 3) the evaluation of the dynamic therapeutic changes after TAVR during the follow up.

Portico and Navitor India Clinical Trial

The objective of this clinical trial is to collect data on procedural safety and device performance of the Portico and Navitor devices and FlexNav delivery system to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis in the Indian population.

SAPIEN 3 Ultra System PMCF

A post-market study of the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra System in subjects with symptomatic, severe, calcific aortic stenosis.

Platelet Adhesion in the Pathobiology of Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a serious and common condition that affects 2-3% of the population \>65 years of age in Western countries. It is also responsible for extraordinarily high healthcare expenditures, estimated to be over $6 billion annually,2 in part because the primary treatment for severe AS is aortic valve replacement (AVR) which is resource-intensive. Valve abnormalities are frequently recognized before AS becomes severe, or before there is need for guideline-directed procedural intervention, thereby providing an opportunity for pharmacologic intervention to slow disease progression. Yet, all attempts to prevent AS progression in those with degenerative non-congenital forms of disease have failed. The only non-procedural intervention that benefits patients with moderate or greater AS is the aggressive treatment of hypertension, which reduces net left ventricular (LV) afterload (valvulo-arterial impedance \[Zva\]) and can slow secondary LV remodeling. The overall goal of this proposal is to integrate advanced imaging and vascular biology to study how von Willebrand factor (VWF) and platelet adhesion promote AS progression through many parallel pathways, thereby representing a potential therapeutic target. We are hypothesizing that blood markers of abnormal VWF proteolysis and platelet-derived factors, and abnormal valve shear patterns which can be detected by advanced analysis of spectral Doppler on echocardiography are predictors for progressive AS.

Detecting Changes in Arterial Blood Volume and Cardiac Efficiency

The objective of this Pilot Study is to demonstrate the efficacy of the Hemocept device in detecting changes in arterial blood volume and cardiac efficiency.

Impact of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Mitral Valve Repair on Sleep-Disordered Breathing

This prospective observational study aims to investigate the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) on sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with significant valvular heart disease. Patients undergoing TAVI or M-TEER will be evaluated with full polysomnography prior to the intervention and at 6 months follow-up. Changes in sleep parameters, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), central and obstructive apnea indices, oxygen desaturation, and sleep architecture, will be assessed. In addition, the study will explore the association between changes in SDB and echocardiographic as well as arrhythmic parameters. The findings are expected to improve the understanding of the interaction between valvular heart disease and SDB and to identify potential benefits of transcatheter interventions on sleep-related outcomes.