Project description:BackgroundThe axillary artery is an alternative access route for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) in patients who have unfavourable femoral arteries as well as comorbidities which preclude surgery. Transaxillary TAVI (TAx-TAVI), with a complete non-transfemoral approach, is a feasible and safe alternative even if complications like vascular closure device failure with bleeding occurs.Case summaryWe describe here a simplified non-transfemoral TAx-TAVI approach in a 71-year-old patient with pulmonary oedema due to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis with a prohibitively high surgical risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Mortality 11.9%) and extensive peripheral artery disease that rendered the femoral arteries unsuitable for access. Importantly, this strategy also allows for successful management of bleeding events, particularly those associated with vascular closure device failure, by the use of a new covered stent device. The patient was discharged on Day 6 after admission in stable conditions. In short-term follow-up (30 days), he is asymptomatic with normal left-ventricular function.DiscussionThe TAx-TAVI is a promising alternative to transfemoral TAVI approach. Patient safety, even during bleeding complications, can be guaranteed with appropriate preparation.
Project description:Transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation is a critical option in high risk bioprosthetic tricuspid valve dysfunction. In this case report, balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve was implanted successfully into the tricuspid valve and early thrombosis was managed successfully. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).
Project description:BackgroundVentricular septal defect (VSD) is an unusual complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The risk factors are not well understood but may include oversizing, calcification amount and location, left-ventricular chamber morphology, and valve-in-valve (ViV) procedures. Percutaneous treatment is challenging but is usually the preferred option.Case summaryAn 80-year-old woman with two previous surgical aortic valve replacements was admitted to our Cardiology Department for decompensated heart failure. New bioprosthesis degeneration (19 mm Mitroflow™, Sorin Group, Canada) was observed with severe intraprosthetic aortic regurgitation. After evaluation, the heart team chose to perform ViV TAVI. Because of the high risk of coronary obstruction, chimney stenting of both coronary arteries was performed. A 23 mm self-expandable Navitor™ valve (Abbott, IL, USA) was implanted, but the Mitroflow™ valve had to be cracked to minimize the persistent high gradient. During valve fracture, the non-compliant balloon broke and a small iatrogenic VSD appeared. However, the patient remained stable, so conservative management was selected. During follow-up, she developed severe haemolytic anaemia and heart failure; therefore, percutaneous closure of the iatrogenic VSD was performed twice, which was a difficult challenge.DiscussionA viable alternative to redo surgery is ViV TAVI. Risks include higher rates of prosthesis-patient mismatch and coronary obstruction. Occasionally, bioprosthetic valve fracture is required, particularly in small bioprostheses, to achieve low gradients. Anecdotally, fracture has led to annular rupture and VSD. Most VSDs are small and without clinical or haemodynamic repercussions; however, in symptomatic cases, percutaneous closure is a viable alternative to surgery.
Project description:An 80-year-old male underwent a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe senile aortic stenosis. Six weeks after the surgery, he was readmitted to our institution because of a high-grade fever. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed thickening of all three leaflets of the aortic prosthesis and mobile mass on the leaflet, and Streptococcus sanguis was identified from his blood culture. Therefore, he was diagnosed with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and received intensive intravenous antibiotic therapy. Because he did not respond to the pharmacological therapy, surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) was indicated although it was considered a relatively high-risk procedure. Herein, we report on the successful surgical AVR in this patient using a pericardial valve after removal of the infected prosthetic valve, and discuss some issues related to this rare complication after TAVI. <Learning objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a highly effective procedure for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk or deemed inoperable. Because it only requires limited surgical invasiveness, the risk of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) after TAVI is thought to be low. However, PVE can occur even early after TAVI. We present our recent such case and discuss some issues related to this rare complication.>.
Project description:Transesophageal echocardiography guides a range of structural heart disease interventions, especially in older adult and frail patients who are deemed not suitable to undergo surgical repair. Although rare, transesophageal echocardiography can be associated with esophageal trauma, including perforation. Treating physicians should be cognizant of such a complication. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).
Project description:The increasing number of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the last few years has unveiled a unique set of events and complications that need prompt recognition and management in order to improve patient outcomes, often involving a multidisciplinary team. We present a case of a 86-year-old woman with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis that underwent a TAVI and, in the post-procedure period, presented with acute abundant haematemesis, haemodynamic instability, and haemoglobin drop. The diagnosis of acute necrotizing oesophagitis (ANE) was made by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Acute necrotizing oesophagitis is a rare entity caused usually by an ischaemic insult in the presence of predisposing factors; it has a high rate of complications and mortality. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical case report to describe the occurrence of ANE as a possible complication of TAVI and is also an example of the importance of the multidisciplinary approach of these complex patients, which extends even beyond the concept of Heart Team.
Project description:Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the treatment of choice in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who are either inoperable or at high risk for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement. Recent data have also shown favourable outcomes in patients deemed to be at intermediate operative risk, which expands the application of this novel technology. Despite its success, TAVI has been associated with rare life-threatening complications. Of these, aortic annular rupture is considered to be the most devastating. Advances in pre-procedural screening and patient selection have reduced the incidence of annular rupture. When this complication occurs, early recognition and prompt management are essential. This article is intended to provide a comprehensive review of the predictors, management and clinical outcomes of aortic annular rupture.
Project description:Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has revolutionised the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis and is the preferred treatment option for patients with elevated surgical risk. Outcomes have continually improved, but because of the nature of the procedure infrequent catastrophic complications, such as coronary obstruction, persist. Recently, data were published regarding delayed coronary obstruction (DCO), a phenomenon in which the obstruction occurs after the index procedure. DCO has important consequences for future research. In this article we will explore the implications for new transcatheter heart valve design and approaches to patient management to minimise the risk of DCO occurring.
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.