Clinical Research Directory

Valve Performance of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Valve: A Prospective Registry With Central Echocardiography Analysis.

The issue of valve durability has become one of the most important aspects in the TAVR field in recent years since transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been progressively applied to younger patients with a low co-morbidity burden. The SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve represents the last generation of the SAPIEN valve system and includes several important iterations (newer leaflet calcium-blocking technology targeting calcium-attracting free aldehydes, dry tissue storage, newer skirt textile design) that should translate into a favorable impact on valve durability at mid- to long- term follow-up

Prospective Validation of a Pre-Specified Algorithm for the Management of Conduction Disturbances Following TAVR

The high incidence and variety of conduction disturbances post-TAVR represents a major challenge in the periprocedural management of TAVR recipients. Despite the growing body of knowledge on this topic, the large variability in the management of these complications has translated into a high degree of uncertainty regarding the most appropriate treatment of a large proportion of such patients. The implementation of a pre-specified treatment strategy translating into a more uniform practice regarding the management of conduction disturbances post-TAVR applied to a large cohort of patients would permit to identify the benefits and drawbacks of each specific aspect of the treatment algorithm proposal. This may also help to improve both the management and clinical outcomes of the complex group of patients with conduction disturbances associated with TAVR. In the end, the final objective of a pre-specified strategy for managing conduction disturbances post-TAVR should be to obtain a low rate of PPM without increasing the risk of sudden death or life threatening arrhythmic events following hospital discharge, and all this while avoiding an excessive prolongation of the hospitalization period following the TAVR procedure.

Low-dose Colchicine for Thromboprophylaxis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

This prospective, randomized, open-label study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg daily) in reducing transcatheter heart valve (THV) thrombosis in patients after TAVR. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive colchicine plus standard care or standard care alone for 12 months. The primary goal is to compare the rate of valve thrombosis between the two groups using 4D-CT imaging at one year. Additionally, the study will evaluate the treatment's impact on clinical outcomes and its overall safety profile.

TAVR for Aortic Regurgitation Under TEE Guidance

Under contemporary practice, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is typically performed with fluoroscopic visualization and repeated injections of iodinated contrast. While effective, this paradigm introduces cumulative radiation exposure to both patients and staff and can be problematic in individuals with renal dysfunction, prior contrast reactions, or other situations where contrast use is undesirable. Treating native aortic regurgitation (AR) adds another layer of complexity: limited valvular/annular calcification, enlarged annular dimensions, and dynamic root motion may reduce frictional "purchase" and make prosthesis stabilization more demanding, thereby heightening the need for continuous, high-fidelity intraprocedural imaging. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), with its close acoustic window to the aortic root, provides detailed real-time information on annular geometry, cusp coaptation, LVOT-aortic root alignment, guidewire trajectory, and implant depth, and it allows immediate confirmation of valve function and rapid recognition of adverse events (e.g., significant paravalvular regurgitation, maldeployment, pericardial effusion, or coronary compromise). Leveraging TEE as the dominant imaging modality therefore represents a pragmatic pathway toward a low-radiation and potentially contrast-sparing-or in selected cases, contrast-free-TAVR workflow. Nevertheless, evidence supporting an "echo-only" TEE-guided approach remains sparse, especially for native AR. In this study, we present a standardized TEE-guided procedural protocol and report feasibility and early clinical outcomes of TEE-only TAVR in patients with aortic regurgitation.

Crystalloid vs Colloid for Hemodynamics During Anesthesia Induction in TAVR Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the administration of 5 ml/kg of colloid solution prior to anesthesia induction, compared with 5 ml/kg of lactated Ringer's solution, can reduce hemodynamic fluctuations during the induction period (defined as the first 15 minutes after induction) in patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).

Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Interventions: a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study

Mitral and tricuspid valve disease represents an increasing challenge in the management of patients with heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, the introduction of transcatheter techniques for valve repair and replacement (TVI) has revolutionised the treatment of these diseases, particularly for patients at high surgical risk or who are not candidates for traditional surgery. However, although these procedures are increasingly popular, their long-term effectiveness in terms of cardiac remodelling is still not well understood. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques, with their advanced capabilities to provide anatomical and functional details of the heart, offer a unique opportunity to assess ventricular remodelling and valve function before and after transcatheter interventions. The ESC guidelines on valvulopathies published in 2021 recommend the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging not only to quantify the extent of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation when echocardiography is inconclusive, but also as the gold standard for the assessment of left and right ventricular size and function (limited, however, to the availability of this method in the various centres). Currently, there are few systematic data evaluating the effect of these procedures on CMR-assessed cardiac anatomy and function. This study aims to fill this gap by creating a multicentre registry in which clinical and advanced imaging data, including 3D echocardiography and CMR, are collected to assess the impact of these therapies. Analysis of data derived from advanced imaging will not only provide a better understanding of the mechanism of operation of transcatheter techniques, but will also provide important information for improving long-term patient outcomes by identifying potential predictors of treatment success or failure.

Comparison of Single vs. Dual Perclose Devices for Large-Bore Access Closure in TAVR

This study will compare the use of one Perclose device to the usual approach of two devices for pre-closure during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). The study will compare the time it takes for bleeding to stop using the different closure approaches. The study will also compare complications when using one Perclose device versus two.

Clinical Feasibility and Evaluation Study of POINT-GUARD Embolic Protection Device During TAVR (GUARDIAN)

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and safety of the Transverse Medical, Inc. Point-Guard device. This feasibility study is a limited clinical investigation of the Point-Guard device. The study will be conducted to evaluate the device design concept with respect to clinical safety and device functionality.

CT TAVR Abdomen Study

A standard polyenergetic CT (computed tomography) procedure utilizes 100 ml of iodinated contrast. A recent world-wide shortage of iodine based intravenous contrast has highlighted the need to search for alternative methods or doses. Reducing iodinated IV contrast dose can mitigate IV contrast supply shortages and enable significant cost savings for the radiology practice and hospital system. In addition, decreased IV contrast dose can potentially reduce the rate of acute kidney injury, specifically in patients with decreased renal function. The purpose of the study is to determine whether low IV contrast dose CT with monoenergetic reconstruction can be use for presurgical planning of transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) procedure.

TAVR: The Impact of Prothesis Positioning on Valvular and Coronary Hemodynamics

The aim of this clinical study is to learn more about the effects of TAVR-prosthesis positioning on hemodynamics and the coronary arteries. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and the echocardiography imaging provide an equivalent alternative to the computer tomography which is the state of the art in evaluating commissural alignment? 2. What effect does the position of the valve on the annular level have, especially its symmetrical and commissural position, on valvular and aortic blood flow characteristics? 3. What is the influence of symmetrical position and the presence of a commissural alignment on the coronary flow after transcatheter aortic valve replacement?

Short Versus Long Antiplatelet Therapy After TAVI

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if reducing the duration of treatment by aspirin to 3 months (short treatment regimen) after percutaneous aortic valve replacement is as safe and efficient as the routine lifetime treatment by aspirin (standard treatment regimen). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the reduction of the duration of aspirin reduces rates of bleeding without increasing the risk of cardiovascular events. Researchers will compare a short treatment by aspirin (3 months) to a long treatment by aspirin (12 months) after percutaneous replacement of the aortic valve. Participants will: Take aspirin for 3 months in one group or 12 months in another group Be contacted by phone or visit the clinic at 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months after hospital discharge Keep a diary of any bleeding or cardiovascular events occurring during the study period

Coronary Artery Disease Assessment Strategies in TAVI Patients

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic stenosis frequently coincide. Before valve intervention, invasive coronary angiography is routinely performed to assess coronary status. As the impact of percutaneous revascularization on clinical outcomes beyond symptom improvement is subject to debate and treatment of aortic stenosis itself reduces ischemic burden and symptoms, the benefit/risk balance of routine invasive coronary angiography prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unclear. The CAT Trial aims to compare a non-invasive risk management strategy to routine invasive coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis selected to undergo TAVI with respect to adverse clinical outcomes at 3 years (primary objective) and patient reported outcome measures (secondary objective).

Feasibility, Safety, and Effectiveness of the ACURATE neo2 Transcatheter Heart Valve for Severe Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis

The goal of the NEO2 BAV registry is to investigate the safety, effectiveness, and clinical performance of TAVI using the ACURATE neo2 valve in patients with severe BAV stenosis. The clinical, procedural, and imaging characteristics will be collected from patients with severe BAV stenosis, regardless of the phenotype, and treated with TAVI using the ACURATE neo2 bioprosthesis worldwide.

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.

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.

Assessment of Paravalvular Leak After TAVI by Hemodynamic Measurements and Cardiac MRI

Rationale: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard therapy for elderly patients with high surgical risks. Paravalvular leakage after TAVI is relatively common and there is conflicting evidence regarding the clinical impact of mild paravalvular leakage in self-expanding devices. Prospective data for self-expanding devices are required to compare the extent of paravalvular leakage as a result of device design. Grading paravalvular leakage after TAVI is difficult. Echocardiography and angiography systematically underestimate paravalvular leakage (PVL) as compared to cardiac MRI. Hemodynamic measurements are used to aid decision making directly after TAVI implantation. Prospective data comparing hemodynamic measurements with cardiac MRI are needed to design an optimal strategy to grade paravalvular leakage peri-operatively in order to optimize TAVI outcomes. The combination of aortic valve stenosis, angiodysplasia and von Willebrand Disease type 2A (vWD-2A) is known as Heyde syndrome. Previous studies have shown a decrease in angiodysplastic lesions after TAVI. However, since PVL after TAVI is relatively common, angiodysplastic lesions tend to reoccur. Prospective data comparing the severity of PVL to the severity of both vWD-2A and angiodysplasia are lacking. Objective: To assess procedural hemodynamic measurements in patients with paravalvular regurgitation quantified by means of cardiac MRI (CMR) and to analyse its association with impaired clinical outcome during 5-year follow-up. Secondary objectives are to assess whether the severity of vWD-2A correlates with the severity of PVL measured by cardiac MRI, and to prospectively assess the success percentage of TAVI in the treatment of angiodysplasia. Study design: This is a prospective, single-center clinical trial. Patients will receive a TAVI. After implantation different hemodynamic indices of PVL will be assessed. Within 4-8 weeks after TAVI a cardiac MRI will be performed to quantify the amount of PVL. Standardized clinical follow-up will take place at discharge, 30 days, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Telephone follow-up will take place at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after TAVI. In patients with known angiodysplasia or iron deficiency anemia e.c.i., a videocapsule endoscopy (VCE) will take place before TAVI and 6 months after TAVI. Of note, for the substudy on Heyde syndrome, patients with a different type of TAVI valve (i.e. no Abbott Portico valve) are also allowed to participate. Study population: Approximately 80 patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis with an indication for TAVI will be included. At least 76 patients with a cardiac MRI that is of sufficient quality to quantify the amount of PVL will be included. Intervention: Patients will undergo cardiac MRI on top of standard clinical care within 4-8 weeks after TAVI. A subgroup of patients will also undergo a VCE. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary endpoint is defined as PVL regurgitation fraction as measured by cardiac MRI. One secondary endpoint will comprise a composite of device success, early safety and clinical efficacy as defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) (1) and will comprise death, vascular complications, stroke/TIA, life-threatening bleeding requiring transfusion, and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. Another secondary endpoint will be the reduction of angiodysplastic lesions after TAVI as determined by VCE. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The hemodynamic indices can be assessed in a standard fashion using a fluid filled pigtail catheter that is placed in the left ventricle as part of the routine protocol. Following TAVI, enrolled patients will undergo cardiac MRI to assess PVL. The risk of cardiac MRI after TAVI implantation is negligible. Extra blood samples will be taken. After one year, patients will be followed by telephonic follow-up. Risk/benefit: the expected benefit is a structured clinical follow-up at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, at the cost of an extra visit to undergo cardiac MRI.

Safety and Efficacy of SinocrownTM Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement System

This study was designed to preliminary verify the safety and of efficacy of SinocrownTM Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement System With accessories in patients with symptomatic, calcified and severe aortic stenosis using objective performance criteria

SMART Watch Facilitated Early Discharge in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The purpose of this study is to observe conduction disturbance, daily activity level, heart rates, oxygen saturation in patients who underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and to evaluate the utility of the HUAWEI Watch (HUAWEI Technologies Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China) for the potential early warning sign of changes in multiple biometric parameters including heart rate, rhythm, oxygen saturation, activity, and sleep in patients following TAVR. This will be evaluated in the context of a recently implemented early discharge protocol.