Impact of annular and cusps calcification on occurrence of paravalvular leak after transcatheter aortic valve replacement with intra- versus supra-annular devices

Abstract Introduction Severe annular and valve cusps calcification is frequent among patients treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Severe annular calcification increases the risk of paravalvular leak (PVL) and was associated with worse outcomes. Whether it is accompanied by an independent effect of calcifications localized on cusps and whether the impact of cusps/annular calcification depends on supra vs intra-annular valve design is unknown. Purpose To assess the impact of cusps/annular calcifications on occurrence of moderate PVL after successful TAVR with devices of either intra- or supra-annular design. Methods 282 consecutive patients (80.3±7.6 yrs, 63% female) with baseline 384-slice CT scan were successfully treated with TAVR between Jul 2012 and Oct 2017, either with intra-annular or supra-annular devices. Severe annular calcification (clear protrusion) and severe cusps calcification (Rosenhek 4 score) were identified using a Syngo Via. Results 138 (48.9%) patients were treated with intra-annular and 144 (51.15) with supra-annular devices. Whereas severe annular calcification was similar (23.9% vs 20.1%), there was more severe cusps calcification among intra-annular valves (52.9% vs 41.7%, p=0.073). Intra-annular devices were used less frequently among bicuspid aortic valves, were also of smaller diameter, less frequently deployed after pre-dilation, and less frequently post-dilated. Post-procedure mean aortic gradient tended to be higher among intra-annular devices. Moderate PVL was less frequent among intra- vs supra-annular valves (14.5% vs 34.0%, p