Improvements of Procedural Results With a New-Generation Self-Expanding Transfemoral Aortic Valve Prosthesis in Comparison to the Old-Generation Device

ObjectivesIn this study, we compare procedural results of our first Evolut R (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) implantations with the last CoreValve implantations. Main endpoints include paravalvular regurgitation, major vascular complications, stroke, and pacemaker implantation. BackgroundThe evolution of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was possible due to various technical improvements, leading to better periprocedural and long-term outcome. The newly designed Evolut R valve has the potential to further improve TAVR's performance. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed our first 100 consecutive patients who received the Evolut R valve with the last 100 consecutive patients who received the CoreValve prosthesis between July 2013 and February 2016. Only patients treated with a 26mm or 29mm bioprosthesis were included. ResultsNo significant differences in patient characteristics were noticed. Both angiography and echocardiography after TAVR showed significantly higher rates of none or trace regurgitation in the Evolut R group (angiography: 67% Evolut R vs. 29.3% CoreValve; P<0.001; echocardiography: 68% Evolut R vs. 46.5% CoreValve; P<0.05). No significant differences were seen in 30-day mortality (7% CoreValve vs. 1% Evolut R), stroke rates (3% CoreValve vs. 2% Evolut R), pacemaker implantation rates (24% CoreValve vs. 23% Evolut R), and major vascular complications (6% CoreValve vs. 1% Evolut R). Implantations were significantly higher with the Evolut R prosthesis. ConclusionsTAVR with the new Evolut R resulted in significantly lower paravalvular regurgitation. This may be due to redesigned cell geometry and higher precision during implantations, as well as the ability to resheath a malpositioned valve.