Predictive factors, efficacy, and safety of balloon post-dilation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with a balloon-expandable valve

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the predictive factors, effects, and safety of balloon post-dilation (BPD) for the treatment of significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND: Very few data exist on BPD after TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve. METHODS: A total of 211 patients who underwent TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve were included. BPD was performed after TAVI if paravalvular AR ≥ 2 was identified by transesophageal echocardiography. Clinical events and echocardiographic data were prospectively recorded, and median follow-up was 12 (6 to 24) months. RESULTS: BPD was performed in 59 patients (28%), leading to a reduction in at least 1 degree of AR in 71% of patients, with residual AR <2 in 54% of the patients. The predictors of the need for BPD were the degree of valve calcification and transfemoral approach, with valve calcification volume >2,200 and >3,800 mm(3) best determining the need for and a poor response to BPD, respectively. Patients who underwent BPD had a higher incidence of cerebrovascular events at 30 days (11.9% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.006), with most (83%) events within the 24 h after the procedure occurring in patients who had BPD. No significant changes in valve area or AR degree were observed at follow-up in BPD and no-BPD groups. CONCLUSIONS: BPD was needed in about one-fourth of the patients undergoing TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve and was successful in about one-half of them. A higher degree of valve calcification and transfemoral approach predicted the need for BPD. BPD was not associated with any deleterious effect on valve function at mid-term follow-up, but a higher rate of cerebrovascular events was observed in patients who had BPD.