A meta-analysis of reduced leaflet motion for surgical and transcatheter aortic valves: Relationship to cerebrovascular events and valve degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Reduced leaflet motion (RLM) of transcatheter aortic valves (TAV) is observed in up to 4% of cases with similar frequency in surgical valves, with an overall incidence that differs based on prosthesis type and size. This phenomenon likely represents subclinical leaflet thrombosis. Herein we sought to analyze the existing reported literature to assess whether or not RLM is associated with subsequent valve degeneration or cerebrovascular events.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched PubMed, and EMBASE (2008-2017) to identify relevant studies. Studies with <1-year follow-up, studies not evaluating RLM, and/or clinical outcomes were excluded. Our co-primary endpoints were the incidence of cerebrovascular events (stroke and/or transient ischemic attack-TIA) or structural valvular degeneration defined as moderate or greater regurgitation and/or a mean gradient ≥20 mm Hg. The literature search yielded 30 potential studies. Of these, six observational studies with a total population of 1704 patients met our selection criteria. RLM was associated with an increased risk of stroke or TIA (adjusted OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.56 to 4.34, p = 0.004). At one year, RLM was associated with an increased risk of structural valve degeneration (adjusted OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.30, p = 0.006). The association between RLM and clinical endpoints remained even after limiting analysis to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients only.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bio prosthetic aortic valve, presence of RLM is associated with increased risk of stroke or TIA as well as structural valvular degeneration. These findings support ongoing surveillance efforts and evaluation of pharmacotherapies to address RLM in effort to minimize subsequent clinical events.