Acute outcomes after MitraClip® therapy in highly aged patients: results from the German TRAnscatheter Mitral valve Interventions (TRAMI) Registry

AIMS: The influence of age on baseline demographics and outcomes of patients selected for MitraClip has not been previously investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Baseline demographics and acute outcomes in 1,064 patients from the German TRAMI registry were stratified by age (525 patients ≥76 years and 539 patients <76 years). In elderly patients, logistic EuroSCORE was higher (25[15-40]% vs. 18[10-31]%, p<0.0001) and the proportion of women was greater (47.2% vs. 29.3%, p<0.0001). Elderly patients were more likely to have preserved left ventricular ejection fraction >50% (40.1% vs. 21.8%, p<0.0001) and degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR, 35.3% vs. 25.6%, p<0.01). Age was the most frequent reason for non-surgical treatment in the elderly (69.4% vs. 36.1%, p<0.0001). The intrahospital MACCE (death, myocardial infarction, stroke) was low in both groups (3.5% vs. 3.4%, p=0.93) and the proportion of non-severe mitral regurgitation at discharge was similar (95.8% vs. 96.4%, p=0.73). A logistic regression model did not reveal any significant impact of age on acute efficacy and safety of MitraClip therapy. In both groups, the majority of patients were discharged home (81.8% vs. 86.2%, p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly and younger patients have similar benefits from MitraClip therapy. Age was the most frequent cause for denying surgery in elderly patients.