A safe and rapid technique for retrograde catheterization of the left ventricle in aortic stenosis

The present report describes our experience in 82 patients with a pigtail-straight guide wire system for crossing stenotic aortic valves. The technique was successful in 95% of all attempts and the average fluoroscopic time was three minutes. There were no major complications of the procedure. The technique allowed for consistent, high quality ventriculograms in 73 patients enabling us to define the severity of concomitant mitral regurgitation in 27 of the patients, as well as a preoperative ejection fraction in all 73 patients. We conclude that the technique as described is a safe and efficient way to obtain both hemodynamic and angiographic information at minimum risk in patients with severe aortic stenosis.     

A safe,rapid method of transfemoral retrograde left ventricular catheterization in valvular aortic stenosis

We report our experience with the use of a standard left Amplatz coronary catheter and a guidewire to cross the aortic valve in 34 patients being evaluated for valvular aortic stenosis. A number 2 Amplatz left coronary catheter inserted via the femoral artery was positioned above the noncoronary aortic valve cusp with the tip aligned toward the aortic valve. This catheter allowed a soft-tipped, Teflon-coated guidewire to be guided through the aortic valve orifice. The catheter was then advanced over the guidewire into the left ventricle. This technique was successful within six minutes in 32 of 34 patients (94%). The stenotic aortic valve was crossed in less than two minutes in 15 patients (42%) and in less than four minutes in 31 (91%). The aortic valve was not crossed in two patients. Twenty-one patients (62%) had an aortic valve area area of less than 0.75 cm². There were no complications. We conclude that this technique provides a method for safe, rapid transaortic left ventricular catheterization in patients with aortic stenosis of all degrees of severity.     

An improved method for transseptal left ventricular catheterization

It is difficult to perform a retrograde left ventricular catheterization in patients having an aortic valve replacement. An improvement of the conventional transseptal catheterization (Brockenbrough method) led to a better success rate of catheterization. The fulcrum of the improved catheter was located 7 cm from the tip. Its curvature was approximately 270°. Its tip was bent inward to form a pig-tail shape to prevent myocardial injury. This catheterization was performed 33 times in 32 patients. A 97% success rate was achieved. An exercise loading test was performed with a bicycle ergometer while this catheter was maintained in the left ventricle of a patient placed in a supine position. The catheter was well retained in the left ventricle and produced a minimal number of arrhythmias during exercise. The modification of this catheter has proved to be a better method of left ventricular catheterization in patients with an aortic valve replacement.     

经导管主动脉瓣置换的动物实验方法

目的:建立经导管主动脉瓣置换（transcatheter aortic valve replacement,TAVR）的动物实验方法,确定适合于TAVR的实验动物模型及主动脉根部造影的最佳投照体位。方法:选用健康绵羊15只（体质量40～45 kg）,于颈中、下1/3处到胸骨上窝区间,通过超声心动图和血管超声分别测量绵羊主动脉瓣环直径和颈总动脉直径。分离绵羊颈总动脉,于直视下测量其直径。穿刺颈总动脉,送入猪尾巴导管,行左心室造影,确定主动脉根部最佳投照体位并进行影像学分析。行颈总动脉横切口,依次置入20F和24F介入式大动脉支架（主动脉覆膜支架）输送鞘,观察能否顺利通过。分别在置入前后,经胸超声心动图（TTE）测量主动脉瓣有效瓣口面积（effective orifice area,EOA）、返流百分比、心率,经心导管测量主动脉收缩压（aortic systolic pressure,ASP）、主动脉舒张压（diastolic aorticpressure,DAP）、平均主动脉压（mean aortic pressure,MAP）、左心室收缩压（left ventricular systolic pressure,LVSP）、左室舒张末压（left ventricular end diastolic pressure,LVEDP）。结果:用超声心动图测得收缩期主动脉瓣环直径为（24.98±2.41）mm,舒张期主动脉瓣环直径为（19.82±2.14）mm。用血管超声测得颈中、下1/3处颈总动脉直径为（5.61±0.50）mm,颈总动脉胸廓入口处直径为（9.16±0.84）mm。解剖直视下测得的颈中、下1/3处颈总动脉直径为（5.90±0.64）mm。15只绵羊均可经颈总动脉成功置入20F输送鞘,13只绵羊可成功置入24F输送鞘。造影结果显示,右前斜位2.5°±3°、头足位7.1°±6°,可清楚显示绵羊左、右冠脉的开口及主动脉根部的解剖形态。术后存活绵羊（14只）主动脉瓣的EOA、返流百分比、心率、ASP、DAP、MAP、LVSP、LVEDP与术前测量值差异均无统计学意义。结论:经绵羊颈总动脉可建立逆行TAVR实验模型,右前斜位2.5°±3°、头足位7.1°±6°,可获得良好的主动脉根部影像,满足应用介入瓣膜输送系统进行TAVR动物实验研究的需要。     

Multipurpose A2 catheter approach to left heart catheterization in severe aortic stenosis

An approach has been presented for the performance of right and left heart catheterization, left ventriculography, supravalvular aortography, and coronary arteriography utilizing a #8 French, A2 multipurpose catheter. Using the manipulations described herein, the left ventricle was entered in 96% of the patients. The multipurpose catheter is an excellent catheter for left ventriculography, negating the need for catheter exchange once the left ventricle has been entered. Likewise, this catheter provides excellent supravalvular aortography and selective coronary arteriography supplemented as needed with preformed coronary arteriographic catheters. This method provides a very safe, efficient approach to the performance of complete heart catheterization in patients with clinically significant aortic stenosis.     

Retrograde percutaneous aortic valve implantation for critical aortic stenosis.

Recently, a prosthetic aortic valve has been implanted percutaneously in several patients using an antegrade transseptal approach. This has been shown to be feasible and associated with dramatic hemodynamic improvement. We report a retrograde implantation of a percutaneous heart valve (PHV) in an 84-year-old man with critical aortic stenosis and refractory congestive heart failure after difficulties encountered with an initial antegrade approach. While attempting antegrade transseptal implantation of a PHV, the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve was tethered by the guidewire resulting in severe mitral regurgitation and pulseless electrical activity. Cardiac resuscitation was successful. Utilizing a retrograde approach, the PHV was successfully implanted in a stable position below the coronary ostia and well above the mitral valve leaflets. The aortic valve area increased from 0.55 to 1.7 cm2 with only mild paravalvular aortic regurgitation. Despite marked improvement in aortic valve function, the patient died secondary to guidewire-induced mitral valve anterior leaflet laceration, severe mitral regurgitation, and cardiogenic shock. Retrograde implantation of a PHV can be successfully performed with substantial increase in aortic valve area and an acceptable degree of aortic regurgitation. Although the retrograde approach may be associated with greater risk of vascular access site complications, it may be considerably safer by avoiding potential guidewire injury to the mitral valve. Further refinements in technique may establish the retrograde approach as the preferred means of PHV implantation in nonsurgical patients with critical aortic stenosis.     

Antegrade left heart catheterization

Retrograde arterial catheterization has been the standard approach to hemodynamic and angiographic evaluation of the left ventricle and systemic arterial system. An alternative approach—antegrade left heart catheterization—is reported that circumvents arterial puncture. During cardiac catheterization from the femoral vein in 18 children with normally related great arteries who had interatrial communications, a balloon-tipped catheter was looped in a ?clockwise”? fashion through the left atrium and left ventricle and into the ascending aorta. In 17 children the maneuver was rapidly accomplished without complications; it proved possible to perform in an infant with a hypoplastic left ventricular cavity, and was employed to perform a renal arteriogram. The major advantage of antegrade left heart catheterization is avoidance of complications related to arterial puncture. The antegrade approach also avoids right arm cut-down in children with coarctation of the aorta.     

Percutaneous transfemoral catheterization in aortic stenosis with a USCI sones catheter curve a type 1 (7540)

We report our experience with the use of a USCI Sones catheter curve A type 1 (7540) to cross the aortic valves of 45 patients with clinically signficant aortic stenosis. The technique was successful in all our patients with a fluoroscopic time of less than 3 min. A gradient of up to 200 mmHg across the aortic valve area was recorded, and the smallest valve area calculated was less than 0.2 cm². The method obviated the need for a guidewire and satisfactory left ventriculograms were obtained. No major complication was observed. We conclude that the technique is a simple, rapid, and safe means of obtaining left ventricular hemodynamic and angiographic information in patients with aortic stenosis of various degrees of severity.     

Timing of surgery in chronic aortic regurgitation

When deciding on therapy for aortic regurgitation (AR), it is imperative to distinguish between acute and chronic AR. Symptoms and echocardiographic findings are essential in distinguishing acute from chronic AR and in assessing the severity. Vasodilators have been shown to be helpful in treating patients with chronic severe AR. The timing of aortic valve replacement in chronic severe AR remains controversial. Symptoms, left ventricular function, and response to exercise have been shown to be the most important prognostic indicators.     

Ventricular pacing burden in patients with left bundle branch block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement therapy

Introduction

Electrophysiological testing has been proposed in the latest European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for cardiac pacing to identify left bundle branch block (LBBB) patients with infrahisian conduction delay (IHCD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). While in general IHCD is defined by a His-ventricular (HV) interval of >55 ms, a cut-off of ≥70 ms to trigger pacemaker (PM) implantation has been proposed in the latest ESC guidelines. The ventricular pacing (VP) burden during follow-up in such patients is largely unknown. As such, we aimed to assess the VP burden during follow-up of patients receiving PM therapy for LBBB after TAVR based on an HV interval > 55 ms and ≥70 ms.

Methods

All patients with new-onset or pre-existing LBBB after undergoing TAVR at a tertiary referral center underwent EP testing the day after TAVR. In patients with a prolonged HV interval (>55 ms), PM implantation was performed by a trained electrophysiologist in a standardized fashion. All devices were programmed to avoid unnecessary VP by specific algorithms (e.g., AAI-DDD).

Results

701 patients underwent TAVR at the University Hospital of Basel. One hundred seventy-seven patients presented with new-onset or pre-existing LBBB the day following TAVR and underwent EP testing. An HV interval > 55 ms was found in 58 patients (33%) and an HV interval ≥ 70 ms in 21 patients (12%). 51 patients (mean age 84 ± 6.2 years, 45% women) agreed to receive a PM, out of which 20 (39%) patients had an HV Interval over 70 ms. Atrial fibrillation was present in 53% of the patients. A dual chamber PM was implanted in 39 (77%), and a single chamber PC in 12 (23%) patients, respectively. Median follow-up was 21 months. The median VP burden overall was 3%. The median VP burden was not significantly different between patients with an HV ≥ 70 ms (6.5 [0.8−52]) and those with an HV between 55 and 69 ms (2 [0−17], p = .23). 31% of patients demonstrated a VP burden < 1%, 27% 1%−5% and 41% > 5%. The median HV intervals in patients with VP burdens < 1%, 1%−5% and >5% were 66 (IQR 62−70) ms, 66 (IQR 63−74) ms and 68 (IQR 60−72) ms, respectively, p = .52. When only assessing patients with an HV interval 55−69 ms, 36% demonstrated a VP burden of <1%, 29% of 1%−5% and 35% of >5%. In patients with an HV Interval ≥ 70 ms, 25% demonstrated a VP burden < 1%, 25% of 1%−5% and 50% of >5% %, p = .64 (Figure).

Conclusion

In patients with LBBB after TAVR and IHCD defined by an HV interval > 55 ms, VP burden is relevant in a non-negligible amount of patients during follow-up. Further studies are warranted to define the optimal cut-off value for the HV interval or to develop risk models incorporating HV measurements and other risk factors to trigger PM implantation in patients with LBBB after TAVR.     

Plaster pipes and crystalized graphite: Open transventricular transcatheter aortic valve replacement for failed mechanical aortic valve prostheses in the porcelain aorta

Patients with a true porcelain aorta and a failed mechanical aortic valve prosthesis have limited treatment options. Using a hybrid of an open trans-ventricular approach with peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass and integration of transcatheter techniques this challenge can be overcome. Trans-ventricular mechanical valve extraction (with transcatheter endovascular occlusion and cardioplegia) followed by direct ante-grade transcatheter heart valve implantation offers a potential solution to this conundrum. The procedure described is a novel technique that allows for the effective treatment of patients with failed mechanical surgical aortic valve prostheses in the setting of an inoperable porcelain aorta. In addition, a collaborative integrated multi-disciplinary heart team environment is required for the management of these complex patients.     

Echocardiographic imaging of stentless aortic valve prostheses

Homografts and stentless xenografts are increasingly used in aortic valve surgery. Echocardiography technicians and cardiologists have to know what they will find when performing an echo-Doppler examination in patients who received a stentless valve. We therefore evaluated echocardiographic images of 74 patients who received a Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis with three techniques and a follow-up of 2 years in two high-volume hospitals. Of the patients studied, 81% were operated using the subcoronary technique, 12% using the root-inclusion technique, and 7% using the full-root technique. Results: Transvalvular gradients across the stentless valves were low: 8.0 mmHg when implanted with the subcoronary technique, 8.2 +/- 5.1 mmHg using the root-inclusion technique, and 6.5 mmHg using the full-root technique. Trivial aortic insufficiency (grade 1) was observed in 10.7% of the patients (8.9% for the subcoronary technique, 13% for the root-inclusion technique, and 0% for the full-root technique). When the bioprosthesis was implanted using the subcoronary technique or the root-inclusion technique, the prosthesis was placed inside the recipient aortic root. Using these techniques, a lumen between the double layer of the xenograft and the aortic wall could be observed. With the root-replacement technique, the porcine root became the most proximal part of the ascending aorta. As the native aortic wall was removed, in most cases, no double lumen could be observed with imaging of the ascending aorta.     

Correlation between calcific aortic stenosis diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac catheterization

This retrospective study correlates the severity of calcific aortic stenosis determined by two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography with the aortic valve area determined by catheterization in 57 patients. Aortic valve leaflet calcification was diagnosed by cineangiography in 50 (88%) of 57 patients and by 2-D echo in 57 (100%) of 57 patients (p less than 0.025). An agreement between severity of aortic stenosis by catheterization and 2-D echo occurred in 22 (39%) of 57 patients. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses showed no correlation between the severity of aortic stenosis and the 2-D echo variables: left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular diastolic dimension, left ventricular systolic dimension, aortic root diameter, and left atrial dimension. We conclude that 2-D echo detects aortic leaflet calcification better than cineangiography. However, the severity of aortic stenosis determined by 2-D echo correlates poorly with the severity of aortic stenosis determined by cardiac catheterization.     

Transseptal left heart catheterization: a review of 278 studies

In our laboratory, we performed 278 transseptal left heart catheterizations in adult patients over a period of 13 years. The left atrium was entered in 91.4% of the intended left heart catheterizations. Of 252 attempts, the left ventricle was entered in 96.1%. Major complications were aortic puncture (0.7%), pericardial puncture/suspected tamponade (3.2%), systemic arterial embolism (1.1%), and suspected perforation of the inferior vena cava (0.4%). There were no deaths. Although less frequently performed during the last decade, the transseptal catheterization technique has a complication rate of the same magnitude as during periods when this method was more commonly applied.