Incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of reintervention after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair

Objective: The use of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is growing substantially, and reintervention after TEER by way of repeat TEER or mitral valve surgery (MVS) is increasing as a result. In this nationally representative study we examined the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of reintervention after index TEER.

Methods: Between July 2013 and November 2017, we reviewed 11,396 patients who underwent index TEER using Medicare beneficiary data. These patients were prospectively tracked and identified as having repeat TEER or MVS. Primary outcomes included 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, 30-day composite morbidity, and cumulative survival.

Results: Among 11,396 patients who underwent TEER, 548 patients (4.8%) required reintervention after a median time interval of 4.5 months. Overall 30-day mortality was 8.6%, 30-day readmission was 20.9%, and 30-day composite morbidity was 48.2%. According to reintervention type, 294 (53.7%) patients underwent repeat TEER, and 254 (46.3%) underwent MVS. Patients who underwent MVS were more likely to be younger and female, but had a similar comorbidity burden compared with the repeat TEER cohort. After adjustment, there were no differences in 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.26 [95% CI, 0.65-2.45]) or 30-day readmission (AOR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.72-1.81]). MVS was associated with higher 30-day morbidity (AOR, 4.76 [95% CI, 3.17-7.14]) compared with repeat TEER. Requirement for reintervention was an independent risk factor for long-term mortality in a Cox proportional hazard model (hazard ratio, 3.26 [95% CI, 2.53-4.20]).

Conclusions: Reintervention after index TEER is a high-risk procedure that carries a significant mortality burden. This highlights the importance of ensuring procedural success for index TEER to avoid the morbidity of reintervention altogether.