Important information regarding SVD in Trifecta family of valves: Potential risk of early structural valve deterioration

A Dear Healthcare Professional Letter has been issued by Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. to inform on the potential risk of early structural valve deterioration (SVD) in the Trifecta family of bioprosthetic heart valves. Review of recent literature indicates a higher early and midterm cumulative incidence of SVD and lower freedom from reintervention in the Trifecta valves, relative to comparator bovine pericardial valves. Healthcare professionals are advised to consider and discuss with their patients the potential for early SVD and weigh them against the hemodynamic benefits. Healthcare professionals are reminded to adhere to the sizing and handling guidelines when implanting a Trifecta valve with Glide Technology (GT) and to conduct regular transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) studies and observe for any changes in patient's signs and symptoms to detect deterioration in valve or ventricular function post-implantation. Patients with evidence of hemodynamically significant SVD should be considered for a possible valve intervention with either surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or a transcatheter valve-in-valve intervention depending on individual patient risks and benefits. Please refer to the letter for details.

Only abstracts of the Dear Healthcare Professional Letters (DHCPL) are provided on this website. Details of these letters can be found in the MOH Alert System, which is accessible via the Health Professionals Portal (HPP), a one-stop portal for all healthcare professionals in Singapore. Dentists, medical doctors and pharmacists may access HPP at https://hpp.moh.gov.sg and follow the procedures below to access the MOH Alert system.

Step 1: Select your profession under ‘For Healthcare Professionals’.

Step 2: Click on ‘Useful links’.

Step 3: Click on ‘MOH Alert’ and log in via Singpass.

Step 4: Click on ‘Drug Alerts’ or ‘Med Device Alerts’ to view the DHCPLs.