Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) is associated with survival and reintervention rates comparable to surgical pulmonary valve replacement after nearly three years, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The study’s authors tracked data from more than 2,000 patients with a median age of 20.5 years old. The youngest patient included in the study was 10 months old at the time of TPVR—the oldest patient was 79 years old. Patients were treated at one of 15 different facilities. All patients received either a Melody valve (manufactured by Medtronic) or a Sapien valve (manufactured by Edwards Lifesciences).
Overall, researchers reported an overall mortality rate of 8.9%. Transcatheter pulmonary valve reintervention was seen in 25.1% of patients, and surgical reintervention was seen in 14.4%.
Younger patient age, prior endocarditis, TPVR into a stented bioprosthetic valve and postimplant gradient were all found to be key risk factors associated with surgical reintervention.
“The findings of this study provide substantial novel information about mid- and long-term outcomes after TPVR that should help inform decision making, patient/family counseling, and future studies aimed at better understanding risk factors and improving outcomes of this therapy,” wrote lead author Doff B. McElhinney, MD, of Stanford University School of Medicine, and colleagues. “Although this study cannot be compared directly with results of published surgical series or with other studies of TPVR for various reasons, we believe that the findings of this analysis support the conclusion that survival and freedom from right ventricular outflow tract reintervention or surgery after TPVR are generally comparable to outcomes of surgical conduit or valve replacement across a wide range of patient ages.”
Multiple study authors, including McElhinney, reported ongoing relationships with either Medtronic or Edwards Lifesciences.
The full study is available here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.