Myocardial Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement According to VARC-3 Criteria

BACKGROUND The Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 definition for myocardial injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) lacks of clinical validation. OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of periprocedural myocardial injury (PPMI) following TAVR as defined by recent VARC-3 criteria. METHODS We included 1,394 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with a new-generation transcatheter heart valve. High-sensitivity troponin levels were assessed at baseline and within 24 hours after the procedure. PPMI was defined according to VARC-3 criteria as an increase $70 times in troponin levels (vs $15 times according to the VARC-2 definition). Baseline, procedural, and follow-up data were prospectively collected. RESULTS PPMI was diagnosed in 193 (14.0%) patients. Female sex and peripheral artery disease were independent predictors of PPMI (P < 0.01 for both). PPMI was associated with a higher risk of mortality at 30-day (HR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.50-4.82; P = 0.001) and 1-year (for all-cause mortality, HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.04-2.27; P = 0.032; for cardiovascular mortality, HR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.68-5.50; P < 0.001) follow-up. PPMI according to VARC-2 criteria had no impact on mortality. CONCLUSIONS About 1 out of 10 patients undergoing TAVR in the contemporary era had PPMI as defined by recent VARC-3 criteria, and baseline factors like female sex and peripheral artery disease determined an increased risk. PPMI had a negative impact on early and late survival. Further studies on the prevention of PPMI post-TAVR and implementing measures to improve outcomes in PPMI patients are warranted. (c) 2023 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.