LATE-breaking research presented at PCR London Valves 2024 has demonstrated the early safety and effectiveness of the transfemoral J-valve transcatheter heart valve (THV) system, achieving high technical and device success rates in severe aortic regurgitation (AR) patients at high surgical risk.
This prospective multicentre study was conducted across 18 Chinese centres to evaluate the new J-valve THV system in patients with severe symptomatic AR who were deemed at high or prohibitive risk for surgical intervention. The study population included 127 patients aged ≥65 years with a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score ≥8%, reflecting significant surgical risk. The primary outcomes were technical and device success at 30 days, alongside all-cause mortality and conversion to open surgery.
Patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the transfemoral J-valve, a self-expandable system specifically designed to address the anatomical challenges of AR. Technical success was achieved in 97.6% of cases, with a device success rate of 92.1% at 30 days. The procedure demonstrated a low all-cause mortality rate of 1.6% within the same period. Only 2.4% of patients required conversion to open surgery. These results highlight the system’s capability to provide effective valve function while minimising procedural complications and mortality.
The findings demonstrate the transfemoral J-valve THV as a promising treatment option for high-risk patients with severe AR, offering a minimally invasive alternative to surgical valve replacement. Further studies with longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate its durability and performance over time. These results could inform clinical guidelines and enhance treatment strategies for severe AR, particularly for those unsuitable for surgery.
Reference
Wei L et al. 30D Outcomes of the TF J-VALVE for Chronic AR. PCR London Valves, 24-26 November, 2024.
