Clinical Research Directory

Assessment of Arrhythmic BuRdEn With Post-ProCedural COntinuous ElectRocarDiographic Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: The RECORD Study

TAVI recipients exhibit a high burden of arrhythmic events early after the procedure. ECG continuous monitoring could be useful to diagnose and facilitate early implementation of specific therapeutic measures in these patients.

Echo-Guided vs Fluoroscopy-Guided Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Aortic Stenosis（ECHO-TAVR）

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular heart disease whose prevalence increases markedly with age-approximately 2-4% in individuals aged 65 years and older, and up to 3.4% for severe AS in those over 75. Degenerative calcific AS predominates in high-income countries, whereas rheumatic disease remains a major cause in low-income regions. With global population aging, the disease burden of AS continues to rise. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI), owing to its minimally invasive nature, has become an important treatment option for severe AS and selected aortic regurgitation patients, expanding from high-surgical-risk populations to those at intermediate and low risk. In recent years, the number of TAVR procedures in many regions has surpassed or approached that of surgical aortic valve replacement, and major clinical guidelines have elevated TAVR to a recommended standard therapy. Conventional TAVR relies on combined fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance. However, perioperative complications remain frequent in elderly and high-risk patients, particularly acute kidney injury (AKI), which significantly increases short- and long-term mortality. Contrast exposure during the procedure is a major contributor to AKI; thus, clinical practice increasingly favors strategies that minimize contrast use, such as low-dose and low-kV imaging. Elevated contrast concentration in the renal tubules increases viscosity, prolongs renal exposure, and can lead to tubular injury and renal dysfunction. Continuous radiation exposure during vascular access, device positioning, valve deployment, and post-release assessment also poses safety concerns for both patients and medical staff. Echocardiography-only guidance for TAVR has therefore emerged as an attractive alternative, with the potential to replace fluoroscopy and contrast for anatomical visualization and device positioning, thereby reducing radiation exposure and contrast-related kidney injury. However, no prospective randomized study has directly compared echocardiography-only guidance with conventional fluoroscopy-plus-echocardiography guidance, and current evidence remains preliminary. To address this gap, a randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate whether echocardiography-only guidance is non-inferior to combined fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance in terms of device success, while also assessing the safety, efficacy, and clinical feasibility of both approaches.

Remote Cardiovascular Monitoring in Post-TAVI Patients

The goal of this randomised clinical trial is to utilise a remote monitoring algorithm to gather essential clinical data, aiming to guide the management of post-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) patients and reduce both postprocedural hospital length of stay and readmissions. This strategic integration of technology aims to address gaps identified in previous studies and enhance the effectiveness of post-TAVI patient care. One significant concern after TAVI is the development of heart conduction abnormalities on the ECG and abnormal rhythms, such as heart block, potentially requiring permanent pacemaker insertion. Addressing these rhythm issues is crucial for reducing the overall length of stay. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a remote patient monitoring protocol-driven strategy reduce post-TAVI hospital length of stay and adverse events? Participants post-TAVI procedure and eligible for same-day discharge, as determined by their primary cardiologist, will be randomized upon informed consent into the active arm (remote monitoring) or control group (standard of care). Participants in the active arm will: receive four remote monitoring devices. Receive support from a validated clinical decision-making algorithm for further management. Participants in the control group will: adhere to the best standard of care as per current practice. Researchers will compare the active arm to the control group to see if the remote patient monitoring protocol-driven strategy reduces post-TAVI hospital length of stay and adverse events.

Impact of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) on the Gut Microbiota in Patients With Aortic Valve Stenosis

This study investigates the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on the composition and function of the gut microbiota in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. The improvement in haemodynamics following TAVI may positively influence gut microbial balance by increasing splanchnic perfusion and reducing intestinal congestion. A total of 40 patients undergoing TAVI at the "Hippokration" General Hospital of Athens will be enrolled, with the aim of analysing stool and blood samples before and after the procedure. The primary endpoint is the change in gut microbiota composition two months post-TAVI, assessed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Secondary endpoints include changes in serum TMAO levels and their association with the severity of aortic stenosis and post-procedural valve haemodynamics. Data will be collected at two timepoints (1 month up to 1 day pre-TAVI and 3 to 4 months post-TAVI), along with dietary questionnaires to account for potential confounding factors. This observational study aims to highlight the potential relationship between cardiac function and the gut microbiome, offering new perspectives for targeted therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular disease.

Enhanced Valves Interventions and Safe AI Generated End Results

This non-interventional study aims to use artificial intelligence to improve the prediction of transcatheter heart valve interventions and optimize patient outcomes. It is based on the analysis of retrospective data from various specialized centers worldwide.

Quality of Life Improvement After TAVI (QualiTAVI-UK Trial)

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an important therapeutic intervention for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) who are at high surgical risk. While the clinical outcomes of TAVI are well established, there is limited data on the long-term quality of life (QoL) following the procedure. This prospective study will assess QoL in patients undergoing TAVI at Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth, UK. Investigators will employ the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) and Mini-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Mini-MoCA) to evaluate both physical and mental health outcomes, supplemented by an analysis of life expectancy estimated by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Data will be collected at referral, pre-procedural, 30 days, and 3 months post-TAVI. This will be the first prospective trial focused on QoL improvement after TAVI, as all previous studies have been retrospective in nature. The study aims to provide comprehensive insights into the QoL improvements after TAVI, which will guide future clinical decision-making in this population.

Optimal Timing of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - The TAVI PCI Trial

The primary objective of this study is to compare, in patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease accepted for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by the multidisciplinary Heart Team, the safety and efficacy of angiography-guided complete revascularization performed after (within 1-45 days) with angiography-guided complete revascularization performed before (within 1-45 days) TAVI using the Edwards SAPIEN Transcatheter Heart Valve®.

Rapid Atrial Pacing After TAVI to Predict Pacemaker Implantation

Despite Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) evolution regarding techniques, equipment and experience, the need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) post-TAVI remains an important drawback. The electrophysiology testing to stratify the risk or necessity of PPI post-TAVI is endorsed by the up-to-date guidelines and consensus documents and it is a valuable cut-off based method. Part of the answer is maybe hidden in the easy and applicable testing of the atrioventricular conduction system through rapid atrial pacing (RAP) with a common temporary pacemaker lead. This trial is designed to investigate the role and value of RAP after TAVI as a predictor of the necessity of new PPI.

Hypothyroidism After the TAVI Procedure in Elderly Patients

Aortic stenosis is highly prevalent in advancing age. The prognosis of this disease has dramatically changed with the surgical replacement of the aortic valve and the trans catheter aortic valve re-placement (TAVI). The TAVI procedure is also successful in octogenarians and frail patients. However, the evaluation before the TAVI procedure requires a high dosage of iodinated contrast agent with, consequently, an increased risk for thyroid dysfunction. The primary endpoint of this study is to assess, prospectively, the incidence and the predictive factors (underlying thyroid disease, medication, food preservative, topical antiseptics) of hypothyroidism after a TAVI procedure. The secondary endpoint is the influence of the occurrence of hypothyroidism after the TAVI procedure on the geriatric assessment.

Virtual PREHAB Study for Patients Undergoing TAVI

Nova Scotians are aging and many are becoming frailer. People with frailty are more likely to live in worse health and do not recover well from major events, such as open heart surgery. Many people are also too frail to receive open heart surgery. Less invasive procedures called transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or TAVI, are provided for the frailest patients. While TAVI is life-saving, frailer patients are less likely to survive in better health after their operation. Patients in Nova Scotia can also wait up to 3-6 months for their operation where they become frailer or can die before receiving TAVI. The investigators believe that it is important to support these individuals to improve their frailty and overall health before their operation. Center-based cardiac rehabilitation is offered to patients after, but not before TAVI to improve their health. Center-based preoperative cardiac rehabilitation (i.e., PREHAB) can safely improve the function of frail patients who received open heart surgery. However, many patients cannot come to a center-based PREHAB because of transportation requirements to access the program. Another option is to support these patients with virtually delivered PREHAB, where they can stay in their homes. However, this possibility has not been studied. For this study, virtual PREHAB will be delivered using the virtual cardiac rehabilitation program in Nova Scotia to patients before TAVI. This intervention will be delivered by healthcare providers who routinely care for TAVI patients, including a medical director, program lead, nurse, physiotherapist, and dietician. Ther goal of this study is to determine if it is feasible and safe to use virtual PREHAB to reduce frailty before TAVI. This research fits with Research Nova Scotia's priorities to improve patient outcomes in those with significant long-term health conditions, and to provide accessible, safe, and quality virtual healthcare to patients so they can thrive after their operation.

EffecTAVI Registry

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease among elderly population, with a increasing prevalence due to population ageing. In developed countries, the prevalence of severe AS among ≥75 years is approximately 3.4%. The onset of symptoms is associated with a poor prognosis. Indeed, mortality increases once symptoms appears. For several decades, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has been the standard of care for symptomatic AS. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced as alternative treatment in inoperable patients in 2002. In the last two decades TAVI has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of severe AS, representing a less invasive alternative to surgery. TAVI has shown to be non-inferior or superior to SAVR in several large-scale randomized clinical trials (RCTs) across the full spectrum of surgical risks. The newly available evidence has led to an expansion of guideline recommendations for TAVI. Furthermore, newer generations of transcatheter heart valve (THV) design, better patient selection, and technical enhancements have driven improvement in safety and reduction of procedural complications over time. This observational study aim to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of the procedure and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI.

Revascularization in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of routine FFR-guided complete revascularization with PCI compared to conservative management in patients with concomitant coronary artery disease who are undergoing TAVI.