Transcatheter aortic valve implantation 10 years after valve‐in‐valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation for failing aortic valve homograft root replacement

Valve‐in‐valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV‐TAVI) is an established therapy for a degenerated surgical bioprosthesis. TAVI‐in‐TAVI following ViV‐TAVI has not been previously performed. We report a high‐risk patient presenting with severe left ventricular failure secondary to undiagnosed critical aortic stenosis due to degeneration of the implanted transcatheter heart valve more than a decade after initial ViV‐TAVI for a failing stentless aortic valve homograft. Successful TAVI‐in‐TAVI reversed the clinical and echocardiographic changes of decompensated heart failure with no evidence of coronary obstruction.     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patient with cardiogenic shock

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment option in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, who are at high or intermediate risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. The vast majority of TAVI are performed on patients without acute decompensated heart failure. In this case report we present the successful TAVI in a patient with a cardiogenic shock.     

A case of anomalous left coronary artery obstruction caused by lotus valve implantation

Trans‐catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with high surgical risk is an alternative therapeutic option for severe aortic stenosis. Although second generation TAVI devices are available now, this therapy still cannot overcome all serious complications. Among them, coronary obstruction is a life threatening complication, however, there is no report concerning the complication in patients with anomalous coronary arteries. Here we present a case with coronary obstruction of an anomalous left main coronary that occurred after implantation of the mechanical expanding Lotus valve (Boston Scientific Inc.). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation in pure native aortic valve insufficiency using the repositionable and retrievable lotus valve

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for the treatment of pure native aortic insufficiency is not routine clinical practice. Absent cusp calcification, missing landmarks in combination with no perfect valve control during release with first‐generation TAVI devices resulted in a high rate for need of a second valve or relevant residual aortic insufficiency. We report the first case with a native pure aortic valve insufficiency at high surgical risk successfully treated by implantation of the repositionable and completely retrievable Lotus valve, resulting in a well‐controlled and safe procedure with no residual aortic insufficiency. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ad-hoc percutaneous coronary intervention and transcatheter aortic valve implantation as a combined transfemoral procedure

Coronary artery disease has been reported in more than 50% of patients with severe aortic stenosis above the age of 70 years. Combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with a higher operative risk. Concomitant coronary artery disease also increases the procedural risk of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and hence, a combined strategy for treating both entities needs to be carefully considered. Data regarding TAVI and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a combined percutaneous procedure are scarce. We report the case of an 84-year-old woman who presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and impending pulmonary edema who was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and two-vessel coronary artery disease. Because of an elevated logistic Euroscore of 25% and her unstable presentation, percutaneous coronary revascularization and TAVI were successfully performed in a combined percutaneous transfemoral procedure. She had a smooth recovery and rehabilitation period with significant improvement in her symptoms and functional capacity. Thirty-day follow-up, including transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, showed a well-functioning prosthetic valve and no signs of residual myocardial ischemia. We therefore conclude that combined PCI and TAVI is feasible and can be associated with good clinical outcomes in selected cases. Further data and experience are needed to evaluate this strategy.     

Successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a Hodgkin lymphoma patient with severe aortic stenosis

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an acceptable treatment modality for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who are deemed unsuitable for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement. TAVI not only provides the treatment of AS, but also makes some other diseases treatable by relieving hemodynamic distress resulting from AS. In this case report, we presented a 74-year-old patient with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) that had been left untreated due to the development of acute pulmonary edema caused by severe degenerative AS during chemotherapy. This is the first report of the use of TAVI in a patient with HL.     

Infective endocarditis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has recently emerged as a less invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high risk patients. Although several procedures have been performed worldwide, infective endocarditis (IE) has been reported to be a rare TAVI complication, nevertheless if IE occurs it represents a life-threatening condition and treatment is challenging. TAVI-IE are thus normally treated conservatively by targeted antibiotic therapy with a high reported mortality (40%). Surgical explant represent the definitive strategy but, the intervention is at a high risk (risk of complication 87%, with an in hospital mortality of about 47%). In the present paper, we report the case of a 71-year-old patient affected by an early endocarditis after TAVI (TAVI-IE) treated at our Institution by surgical explant. The case highlights a paradox: if TAVI procedures are indicated over traditional surgical valve replacement in treatment of high surgical risk patients, what should be the best management when TAVI-IE occurs in these same population of patients?     

Challenging TAVI imaging case with Portico valve

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is considered as an appropriate alternative to surgical valve replacement in patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis at moderate to high perioperative risk. There have also been case reports and patient series using TAVI system in patients with predominant or pure symptomatic aortic regurgitation. We report a case of a patient with symptomatic combined aortic valve disease that was successfully treated with selfexpandable Portico system despite extremely elliptical annulus.     

Fungal endocarditis after transfemoral aortic valve implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced in 2006 as an alternative for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) as treatment for patients with aortic stenosis. Endocarditis after TAVI has been anecdotally reported, but concerns aroused because SAVR is often needed to explant the endocarditic valve in a high risk patient previously deemed not to be a surgical candidate. We report a case of a patient who underwent TAVI because he was too high risk to undergo SAVR. Several months later, he developed an intermittent self‐limiting fever of unknown origin which eventually was diagnosed as endocarditis. The valve was surgically removed, and pathology showed an infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. The patient recovered fully and remains in good condition.© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Papillary muscle rupture after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Catheter-induced mitral regurgitation (MR) caused by mitral papillary muscle rupture can be a fatal complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We report a case involving an 89-year-old man who presented with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. In addition, preoperative echocardiography showed accessory mitral valve tissue. Although moderate MR developed immediately after TAVI, severe MR caused by anterolateral papillary muscle rupture occurred 3 months after TAVI. As only a few case series have been published, our case report adds to the evidence base for this treatment strategy.     

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in a Patient With Severe Aortic Insufficiency and Minimal Aortic Annular Calcification

Severe aortic insufficiency with minimal aortic annular calcification has been considered a relative contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) because of a lack of calcium for fluoroscopic visualization and radial stent fixation. We report a patient with severe aortic insufficiency after previous coronary artery bypass and aortic valve repair who underwent successful TAVI. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was critical to guide valve implantation and previous surgical pledgets were used to seat an oversized TAVI prosthesis within the aortic annulus. In follow-up, the patient remained New York Heart Association class I and echocardiography demonstrated a well-functioning TAVI prosthesis with no aortic insufficiency.     

Perforation of the descending thoracic aorta during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): An unexpected and dramatic procedural complication

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established technique for the treatment of aortic stenosis in patients who cannot undergo surgery. Although TAVI is obviously less invasive than open surgical repair, it is not free of complications. We report a case of unexplained refractory shock during transfemoral TAVI with subsequent autopsy demonstrating a 1‐cm large perforation of the descending thoracic aorta as the cause of death. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case ever reported. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation within a previous bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement

This report documents the first reported case of transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the CoreValve ReValving system (Medtronic CoreValve System, Luxembourg), within a previous bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. TAVI has become a recognized percutaneous treatment for patients with severe native or bioprosthetic aortic valve stenosis. However, as the number of patients screened for TAVI increases, a number of patients are found with absolutely no option for peripheral arterial access, either from the femoral or subclavian routes. Transaortic CoreValve placement offers an alternate minimally invasive hybrid surgical/interventional technique when peripheral access is not possible. A CoreValve prosthesis was implanted via the transaortic route in an 81‐year‐old woman with severe bioprosthetic aortic valve stenosis (21 mm Mitroflow pericardial valve, peak instantaneous gradient of 99 mmHg, effective valve orifice area (EOA) of 0.3 cm², as ilio‐femoral and left subclavian angiography revealed small calibre vessels (<6 mm). Access was achieved via a mini thoracotomy via the left anterior second intercostal space. The procedure went without complication. Post procedure the patient was transferred directly to the Cardiac Care Unit for recuperation. Post procedure echocardiography showed that the TAVI was well positioned with no para‐valvular leak and a reduction in peak instantaneous gradient to 30 mmHg and an increase in EOA to 1.5 cm². She was discharged on the third post‐procedural day in sinus rhythm with a narrow QRS complex. CoreValve implantation within previous surgical bioprosthesis is now an established treatment. The transaortic approach to transcatheter implantation is a promising recent development, when due to anatomical reasons, transfemoral or subclavian TAVI is not feasible. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Coronary obstruction following transcatheter aortic valve‐in‐valve implantation for failed surgical bioprostheses

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for failed surgical bioprostheses, or “valve‐in‐valve” implantation, is a therapeutic option for high‐risk patients. While coronary occlusion during TAVI for native aortic stenosis has been described, in the setting of valve‐in‐valve implantation the bioprsthetic posts may be protective against this complication. We describe the first two cases of coronary occlusion following valve‐in‐valve therapy, both occurring during treatment of degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses. Aortic root anatomy, coronary ostial position, and the specifics of the bioprosthetic valve type need to be considered in assessing and preventing this rare complication. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using direct aortic access: first procedures in Poland

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative option for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis in patients carrying an elevated operative risk of conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). Recently, data from randomised clinical trials confirmed superiority of TAVI when compared with the conservative treatment in inoperable patients, and its non-inferiority when compared with AVR in a high-risk population. Transfemoral vascular access remains the preferred route for delivering the bioprosthesis. However, in a significant proportion of patients, the presence of severe iliac-femoral arteriopathy or small vessel diameter render the transfemoral approach unusable. In this article, we report the first Polish experience of two successful TAVI procedures with bioprostheses (both balloon- and self-expandable) delivered using direct aortic access.     

Displacement of calcium nodules of the native valve as a possible cause of left main occlusion following transcatheter aortic valve implantation

We describe the case of an 89-year-old woman who developed severe left main coronary artery stenosis shortly after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the Medtronic CoreValve Revalving System. Urgent coronary angiography revealed the protrusion of a large calcium nodule of the native valve as the cause of left main narrowing, which was treated with bare-metal stent implantation. Angiographic and intravascular ultrasound findings at follow-up are reported. This case describes one of the mechanisms of a dreadful complication of TAVI and its difficult management.     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: complications and management

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an emerging and promising modality to treat severe aortic stenosis in a select group of patients who are poor surgical candidates. Despite the lesser degree of invasiveness of TAVI compared to open aortic valve replacement (AVR), TAVI is associated with a significant potential for serious life-threatening complications, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. These include vascular injuries, stroke, structural injury to the aorta and the heart and its valves, aortic root or annulus injury, conduction tissue injury, paravalvular leak, valve malposition, coronary complications such as obstruction or ischemia, pericardial effusion and tamponade, and procedural cardiac depression requiring immediate cardiopulmonary bypass for resuscitation. The prevention, detection, and treatment of these complications demands a skill set requiring the services of a cardiovascular surgeon with endovascular skills, an interventional cardiologist, a cardiac perfusion team, and cardiac anesthesia. Therefore, the optimal care of TAVI patients requires a multidisciplinary approach involving these services. The range of serious complications associated with TAVI, and the management strategies utilized in their treatment, are discussed.     

The significance of postprocedural aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation on postprocedural prognosis

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is becoming a more and more important treatment for aortic valve stenosis in high-risk surgical patients. Furthermore, there currently is a discussion for the expansion of TAVI to intermediate-risk patients. In the past, surgical aortic valve replacement was the standard treatment, with excellent results in hemodynamic, as well as echocardiographic parameters and survival rates. However, the results of the Partner A and Partner B trials, as well as the ADVANCE study demonstrate the promise of establishing TAVI as a real alternative treatment option for aortic valve stenosis. One of the risks of a TAVI procedure is the occurrence of aortic regurgitation (AR) post-TAVI. Mild AR is a common finding after TAVI and seems not to be a clinical problem; however, occurrence of significant postprocedural AR after TAVI is still a problem. There is a clear association between significant postprocedural AR and clinical outcomes. Therefore, this review focuses on the occurrence, reasons, diagnostics, clinical impact and treatment options of AR post-TAVI.     

Delayed aortic dissection and valve thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

We report a case of a 78‐year‐old female who presented with type A aortic dissection 22 months following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In addition, preoperative echocardiogram showed high gradients across the aortic prosthesis which was found to be thrombosed. At surgery, the intimal tear appeared to be non‐acute and anatomically related to the rim of the valve cage. The thrombosed valve was not replaced and the patient received anticoagulation therapy following surgery with significant improvement in valve gradients.     

Rescue “valve in valve” implantation after late onset corevalve cusp rupture leading to acute massive aortic insufficiency

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a feasible and effective alternative to aortic valve replacement in patients at high surgical risk, and is associated with a lower risk of death at 1 year follow‐up when compared with standard therapy. In a recent large study, enrolling 663 high risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis TAVI with the use of CoreValve system has been associated with early and sustained clinical and hemodynamic benefits, with a cumulative mortality of 15.0% at 1 year follow‐up. This study has shown that paravalvular aortic regurgitation after successful TAVI is a frequent finding, being of mild entity in the vast majority of cases, whereas valvular regurgitation is almost entirely absent or mild. Of note, no cases of structural valve deterioration were reported. We report a case of a successful implantation of a CoreValve that complicated with late onset massive intravalvular aortic regurgitation, due to CoreValve cusp rupture, leading to low output state with acute pulmonary edema, which was successfully treated with “valve in valve” implantation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.