Antagonization of Heparin With Protamine Sulfate After TAVI

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now the first therapeutic option offered to high and intermediate risk patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis but even to low-risk, when the aortic valve is tricuspid and the transfemoral approach is suitable. Vascular and bleeding complications are the most frequent procedure-related unwanted events associated with increased short-term morbidity and mortality. Selection of the appropriate vascular access site and pre-closing devices as well as stent implantation mitigate these complications.

ACT-guided heparin reaching a target of 300 seconds or more is recommended prior to the placement of the guiding sheath in the common femoral artery. Protamine sulfate is the heparin antidote, which antagonizes 100% of its anti-IIa activity and 60% of its anti-Xa activity. Reversal of heparin using protamine sulfate is recommended for transapical and complicated transfemoral aortic valve placement.However, there is a great heterogeneity of protamine use in daily practice and supportive evidence for the prevention of bleeding complications as well as its safety is lacking. In addition, the radial approach for the second vascular access is more commonly used as well as the use of echo-guided femoral puncture further questioning reversal of heparin when the procedure has been successfully completed without overt bleeding complications.

Our study aims to demonstrate the superiority of a strategy of systematic ACT-guided heparin administration followed by systematic antagonization with protamine sulfate over usual of care to reduce in-hospital mortality, vascular/bleeding complications, stroke and transcient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction or red blood cell transfusion, from randomization to hospital discharge