Current Practices and Considerations for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation Based on Risk Stratification Among Patients with Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Mitral Regurgitation (MR) is the most common form of severe valvular disease occurring in developed countries, being caused either primarily on its own or secondary to cardiac disease. Surgical intervention is required for the correction of MR, which could include the replacement or repair of the affected valve. Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) in selected patients is of increasing importance, especially after the success of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. TMVR can be divided into 3 types, that is, valve-in-valve for severe mitral valve disease, valve-in-ring for failed surgical repairs, and valve-in-mitral annular calcifications for mitral valvular disease with severe mitral annular calcifications and poor surgical criteria. The FDA approved Mitral valve-in-valve for patients with a high surgical risk in 2017, while valve-in-ring and valve-in-mitral annular calcifications are still currently under consideration. The SAPIEN M3 valve is relatively new with a transseptal system, with a success rate of 86%, and no mortality in a 30-day outcome. The Cardiovalve is a bovine pericardium device that has a dual nitinol frame with a custom surgical design to facilitate TMVR. The AHEAD trial will evaluate whether the device is safe to use in a clinical setting and how effective it is for reducing MR in these patients. The trial consists of 30 patients in which the first 5 patients showed 100% technical success and a reduction of MR. This evolution of modern medicine has assisted in many different countries, including Pakistan where there is a higher prevalence of MR and hence, a greater need to apply TMVR in clinical practice. (Curr Probl Cardiol 2022;48:101413.)