TMVR associated with improved outcomes for heart failure patients after 3 years

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) is still associated with improved outcomes for patients with heart failure and moderate-to-severe or severe secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) after 36 months compared to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) alone, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

TMVR, which CMS announced in January is now known as transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), was specifically associated with consistent reductions in mortality, heart failure hospitalizations (HFHs), quality of life (QOL) and functional capacity.

The analysis was an extension of the COAPT trial, which examined the safety and effectiveness of TMVR/TEER with the MitraClip device after 24 months.

“With follow-up through two years, the principal findings of the COAPT trial were that in patients with HF and moderate-to-severe or severe secondary MR who remained symptomatic despite GDMT, transcatheter mitral leaflet approximation with the MitraClip device was safe and reduced the rate of HFHs and improved survival,” wrote first author Michael J. Mack, MD, of Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas, and colleagues. “The present analysis extends these findings, demonstrating that through 36 months, TMVR continued to be safe and provided a durable reduction in MR, which resulted in fewer HFHs and deaths, with improved QOL and greater preservation of functional capacity compared with GDMT alone.”

Benefits were also observed in patients who underwent GDMT alone and then “crossed over” to TMVR after 24 months.  

Abbott, the company behind the MitraClip device, funded the study. Numerous authors reported receiving consulting fees or grant support from Abbott.

The full study can be read here.

Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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