NEW YORK – October 15, 2020 – The REFLECT II randomized clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a device designed to reduce cerebral embolization and ischemic stroke, complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), found that the device met the primary safety endpoint compared to historical controls but did not demonstrate superiority of the device for the primary hierarchical efficacy endpoint.
Findings were reported today at TCT Connect, the 32nd annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF). TCT is the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
The REFLECT II trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the TriGuard 3 (TG3), a self-stabilizing cerebral embolic deflection filter, in patients undergoing TAVR. REFLECT II intended to randomize 295 patients 2:1 to TAVR with TG3 vs. control. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, life-threatening or disabling bleeding, stage 2/3 acute kidney injury, coronary artery obstruction requiring intervention, major vascular complication, and valve-related dysfunction requiring intervention (VARC 2 defined) at 30 days. The endpoint was compared with a Performance Goal (PG) of 34.4%. The primary efficacy endpoint was a hierarchical composite of all-cause mortality or stroke at 30 days, NIHSS worsening, absence of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) lesions post-procedure, and total volume of cerebral lesions (TLV) by DWI. Cumulative scores derived by the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld method were summed for each patient and compared between groups.
The REFLECT II analysis population included 283 patients [41 roll-in, 121 randomized to TG3 and 121 controls (58 randomized in phase II and 63 pooled from REFLECT phase I)]. TG3 was delivered and positioned in the aortic arch prior to TAVR in 100% of cases and retrieved intact in all cases
After enrollment of 179 of the 225 planned randomized patients, the sponsor suspended trial enrollment with the concurrence of the FDA and DMC. After limited unblinding and review of the data, Keystone Heart decided to formally close the study and proceed with the marketing application (510(k)).
TG3 met the primary safety endpoint (22.5% vs 34.4% PG, pnon-inferiority=0.0001). However, superiority for the primary efficacy endpoint was not met, with similar win-ratios and win% (TG3 0.84 (45.7%) vs 1.19 (54.3%), p=0.857) between groups. Median TLV was not different with TG3 protection (215.39 mm3 vs 188.09 mm3, p=0.405).
“Compared to controls, the primary 30-day safety endpoint was higher with TriGuard 3 due primarily to TAVR related vascular and bleeding complications,” said Jeffrey W. Moses, MD. Dr. Moses is a Professor of Cardiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Therapeutics, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Director of Advanced Cardiac Interventions, St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center. “While the study did not demonstrate superiority of TriGUARD 3 compared to pooled controls for the primary hierarchical efficacy endpoint, a post hoc DW-MRI analysis suggests that TG3 may reduce larger ischemic lesions. Improved device stability to achieve reliable, complete cerebral coverage may improve outcomes.”
The REFLECT II trial was funded by Keystone Heart. Dr. Moses reported no disclosures.
About CRF
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations specializing in interventional cardiology innovation, research, and education. CRF is dedicated to helping doctors improve survival and quality of life for people suffering from heart and vascular disease. For nearly 30 years, CRF has helped pioneer medical advances and educated doctors on the latest treatments for heart disease. CRF is comprised of the CRF Skirball Center for Innovation, CRF Clinical Trials Center, CRF Center for Education, CRF Digital, TCTMD, and Structural Heart: The Journal of the Heart Team
Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) is the annual scientific symposium of CRF and the premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine. Now in its 32nd year, TCT features major medical research breakthroughs and gathers leading researchers and clinicians from around the world to present and discuss the latest evidence-based research in the field.
For more information, visit www.crf.org and www.tctconference.com.
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