Project description:BackgroundValve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) in degenerated surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is an alternative to redo-SAVR. However, reports on leaflet thrombosis following ViV-TAVI are emerging and subclinical thrombosis has gained recent attention. Although the incidence of transcatheter heart valve (THV) thrombosis after TAVI for native aortic valve disease is low, current imaging studies suggest the incidence of subclinical THV thrombosis may be significantly higher. While anticoagulation strategies for THV patients for native aortic stenosis presenting with symptomatic obstructive thrombosis has been described, the optimal management and anticoagulation therapy of patients with THV thrombosis following ViV-TAVI are less evident.Case summaryWe report a case series of three patients presenting with early and late THV thrombosis after ViV-TAVI. Two patients presented clinically on single antiplatelet therapy and one patient presented with subclinical valve thrombosis whilst taking a non-vitamin K oral anticoagulation agent.DiscussionLeaflet thrombosis after ViV-TAVI is an important cause of THV degeneration and may present subclinically. Imaging modalities such as serial transthoracic echocardiograms and multidetector computerized tomography aid diagnosis and guide management. Patient-individualized risk- vs. -benefit prophylactic post-procedural oral anticoagulation may be indicated.
Project description:BackgroundTranscatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) is an effective treatment for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction. Patients affected by congenital heart disease requiring TPVI may have difficult anatomies, thus making the intervention technically demanding.Case summaryWe report a case series of two patients affected by RVOT dysfunction. Both the cases were characterized by difficulty to advance the valve over the wire, which was successfully overcome by the application of the snared wire technique (SWT) to TPVI.DiscussionVarious technical pitfalls and tips have been described to facilitate the delivery of the transcatheter Edwards Sapien valve in the pulmonary position. The SWT described by the authors may be a helpful tool to gain supportiveness and stability of the guidewire during the procedure.
Project description:BackgroundLimited data exist on strain changes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR).Case summaryThree patients with AR undergoing TAVI showed an initial reduction in global longitudinal strain (GLS), followed by sustained GLS improvement within the first year.DiscussionFindings align with those of surgically treated patients with AR. There is a possible superiority of GLS to left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ratio in assessing patients with severe volume overload.
Project description:Background Infective endocarditis is a complication with high mortality in patients with congenital heart disease, particularly for those with bioprosthetic valve. Case summary We report a case of a 54-year-old female with a history of tetralogy of Fallot who had been surgically repaired using a transannular patch due to severe pulmonary insufficiency with right heart enlargement and presented with worsening dyspnea. She had received transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) 5 years ago. Unfortunately, bioprosthesis-associated infective endocarditis occurred due to dental caries. Given persistent antibiotic medication, she became clinically stable with prosthesis functional recovery. However, dysfunctional bioprosthesis was still detected 3 years later, which was successfully treated by valve-in-valve TPVI with the help of modified buddy wire technique. At a 12-month follow-up after valve-in-valve TPVI, she was completely recovered with improved symptoms of heart failure. Conclusion This is the first report of valve-in-valve TPVI of a self-expandable valve in a degenerated self-expandable valve. The case highlights increased surveillance for infective endocarditis of transcatheter pulmonary valve should be emphasized. Subsequent valve-in-valve TPVI is an effective treatment for valve failure in defined conditions improving the hemodynamics.
Project description:BackgroundValve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a competent alternative for the treatment of degenerated bioprosthetic valves after surgical aortic valve replacement, or during TAVI procedure as a bailout option. Herein, we report a rare case of a self-expandable Medtronic Evolut R valve into a failing Medtronic CoreValve, with the use of modern pre-TAVI imaging screening, suggesting the proper procedural design steps for so complicated implantations.Case summaryA frail 78-year-old woman with a degenerated Medtronic Core Valve 26 mm bioprosthesis, implanted in 2011 due to severe aortic stenosis, was referred to our hospital due to worsening dyspnoea New York Heart Association III. The screening echocardiography documented severe aortic stenosis, while the classical risk scores were in favour of repeated TAVI (EuroSCORE II 5.67%). Computed tomography measurements and three-dimensional (3D) printing model were of great help for the proper valve selection (Medtronic Evolut R 26 mm), while the use of cerebral protection device (Claret Sentinel) was considered as a necessary part of the procedure. The simultaneous use of fluoroscopy and transoesophageal echocardiogram led to optimal haemodynamic result, confirmed by the discharge echocardiogram, with a significant clinical improvement during the first month follow-up.DiscussionThe main periprocedural concerns remain valve malpositioning, coronary artery obstruction, and high remaining transvalvular gradients. The multimodality pre-TAVI imaging screening may be helpful for precise procedural design. Despite the limited use of 3D models, it is necessary to adopt such tissue-mimicking phantoms to increase the possibility of optimal procedural result.
Project description:BackgroundThe presence of aortic and mitral disease in a patient who is not a suitable candidate for surgical correction poses significant challenges in the diagnostic workup as well as management plans. Percutaneous treatment can be staged to fix the aortic valve with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as a first step, followed by reassessment and percutaneous correction of mitral regurgitation (MR).Case summaryA 65-year-old female with multiple co-morbidities presented with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. She was diagnosed with three-vessel coronary artery disease and degenerative low-flow low-gradient severe aortic stenosis, along with severe degenerative MR with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%. Because of the high surgical risk, she underwent multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was done as a staged procedure, which partially improved her symptoms. Mitral regurgitation was not suitable for percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair. After a discussion by the heart team, she underwent transcatheter mitral valve implantation, for which the Tendyne mitral valve (Tendyne™; Abbott) was used through a transapical approach. There was no paravalvular leak, and the mean gradient across the valve was 2 mmHg. She was symptomatically better at follow-up and an echocardiogram showed a normally functioning aortic valve and Tendyne mitral valves.DiscussionTransapical transcatheter mitral valve implantation using the Tendyne valve is a feasible option for patients with prior TAVI. This can be considered an alternative treatment for MR in patients who are not suitable for edge-to-edge mitral repair.
Project description:BackgroundPost-cardiac injury syndrome is a form of secondary pericarditis with or without pericardial effusion, which typically occurs weeks to months following an injury to the heart or pericardium. Disease activity can be followed with serial testing of inflammatory markers e.g. C-reactive protein (CRP) and/or sedimentation rate, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography.Case summaryA 79-year-old woman was admitted with chest pain, dyspnoea at rest, cough, and low degree fever. The patient had undergone transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) 6 months before admission. Inflammatory markers were increased and a chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) showed a minimal left pleural effusion. An empirical antibiotic treatment and ibuprofen to control chest pain were started on the presumption of an acute bronchitis. Despite 15 days of different antibiotic protocols the markers of inflammation remained increased. A positron emission tomography with computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed signs of an aseptic pericarditis. After having excluded any infectious, metabolic, drug-induced or neoplastic genesis we considered the diagnosis of late onset autoimmune-mediated pericarditis. Subsequently, treatment was promptly initiated with colchicine and prednisone. The patient reported clinical improvement in the following days and the CRP value continuously decreased.DiscussionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of post-cardiac injury syndrome after TAVI. It should be considered in those patients who have persistent chest pain, fever, fatigue, and elevated inflammatory markers after a TAVI procedure, even though it may occur weeks or months after the intervention. A triple therapy with colchicine, ibuprofen, and low-dosage steroids may be used for persistent symptoms.
Project description:We present the case of a severely symptomatic patient with a malfunctioning aortic bioprosthesis and severe multidistrict atherosclerosis that was addressed to our unit for transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation. The imaging and clinical assessment that led to the selection of the access route is discussed.
Project description:BackgroundAortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common valvular disorders worldwide. An increasing number of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures are being performed yearly for managing AS. This, along with the occurrence of common complications, makes timely diagnosis essential to manage rare complications and improve patient outcomes.Case summaryWe present a case of a 77-year-old Caucasian male with severe AS with a dysfunctional bioprosthetic valve following previous surgical valve replacement. During valve-in-valve TAVI, we noted bioprosthetic valve leaflet avulsion and embolization causing a major vascular occlusion that resulted in vascular insufficiency of the left lower extremity. This condition was managed successfully via immediate diagnosis using transoesophageal echocardiogram, angiogram, and vascular surgical intervention for retrieving the embolized valve to re-establish circulation.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this is the first case of aortic valve leaflet embolization during TAVI resulting in significant vascular insufficiency. Vascular complications are common during TAVI. However, not all vascular complications are the same. Our case highlights an embolic vascular complication from an avulsed prosthetic material during a challenging valve-in-valve TAVI procedure.