小瓣环主动脉瓣置换并主动脉瓣环扩大术的近中期结果

目的:评价主动脉瓣环扩大成形术,在小主动脉瓣环的主动脉瓣置换术(AVR)中临床应用的近中期结果。方法:2002年1月至2007年5月,共25例小主动脉瓣环患者行AVR术,男性22例,女性3例,年龄7～64岁,平均(45±12.5)岁。术前主动脉瓣环径(18.12±1.93)mm,跨瓣压差(82±12)mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)。心功能(HYHA分级):Ⅱ级20例、Ⅲ级4例及Ⅳ级1例。采用中、低温体外循环下行主动脉瓣环扩大并AVR术。Nicks法20例,Manouguian法5例。置换机械瓣18例,生物瓣5例,自体肺动脉瓣移植至主动脉瓣(Ross手术)2例。结果:死亡1例,为Ross手术后出现低心排出量综合征,出现病死率4%。其余24例住院(10±2)d。主动脉瓣环径扩大至(23.7±1.5)mm,跨瓣压差为(22±7)mmHg,与术前相比P<0.05。出院患者随访平均(24±10)个月,人工瓣和自体肺动脉瓣功能良好。心功能(HYHA分级):Ⅰ～Ⅱ级。结论:小瓣环主动脉瓣置换加瓣环扩大术近中期结果良好,远期结果有待进一步随访。     

主动脉瓣环搏动变形特性的动态三维CT研究

目的 探讨主动脉瓣环三维形态的搏动变化.方法 35例重度主动脉瓣狭窄患者[年龄(71±6)岁]及20例健康对照者[年龄(53±12)岁]行多排螺旋CT检查,每隔5％心动周期重建主动脉瓣环平面,测量其面积、周长、长轴径、短轴径并计算椭圆率指数.结果 健康对照组瓣环面积、周长、长轴径及短轴径收缩期分别增加(26.9±8.1)％、(14.3±2.6)％、(8.0±2.1)％和(20.4±1.9)％,椭圆率指数则下降(18.4±8.3)％;主动脉瓣狭窄组瓣环面积、周长、长轴径及短轴径收缩期分别增加(19.3±8.3)％、(9.1±2.5)％、(5.4±1.9)％和(12肪2.3)％,椭圆率指数则下降(12.5±4.6)％,上述参数变化差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 主动脉瓣狭窄患者及健康对照者的主动脉瓣环面积、周长及径线在心动周期中均有显著变化,提示其存在变形搏动.上述特性可能对经皮导管主动脉瓣置换有重要意义.     

重度主动脉瓣狭窄患者瓣环径二维及三维测量方法的比较

目的 比较不同的二维及三维方法对重度主动脉瓣狭窄患者瓣环径测值的差别,探讨最优测量手段.方法 32例重度主动脉瓣狭窄患者,分别行二维经胸超声心动图（TTE）、二维经食管超声心动图（TEE）及多排螺旋CT（MSCT）三维成像测量主动脉瓣环径.结果 MSCT显示主动脉瓣环为椭圆形结构,其长轴径（26.9±2.9）mm,短轴径（21.3±1.8）mm,长轴径与短轴径差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.TTE及TEE方法仅提供一个瓣环值,分别为（23.2±2.0）mm及（23.4±2.0）mm,均显著小于MSCT所测长轴径和短轴径的平均值（24.1±2.1）mm（P＜0.05）.结论 主动脉瓣环为椭圆形,瓣环径的测量采用三维MSCT方法更佳.     

Simultaneous thoracic aortic endovascular graft and transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a patient with a descending aortic thrombus

Severe descending thoracic and abdominal aortic pathology can deter consideration of transfemoral (TF) access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in adults with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) and may lead to utilization of alternative access sites. We report a case of an 88-year-old frail woman with severe symptomatic AS referred for TAVR with demonstration of a large thrombus in the descending thoracic aorta immediately distal to the left subclavian artery. Given concerns of thrombus embolization with femoral advancement of the transcatheter valve, coverage with a thoracic aortic endograft was planned immediately prior to the TAVR.     

Significance of echocardiographic left atrial enlargement in aortic stenosis

This study investigated the significance of echocardiographic left atrial enlargement as measured by the left atrial dimension corrected for body surface area in 24 patients with pure aortic stenosis established by cardiac catheterization. Echocardiographic evidence of left atrial enlargement occurred in 11 of 15 patients (73%) with an aortic valve area below 0.8 cm2 and in none of nine patients (0%) with an aortic valve area above 0.8 cm2, p less than 0.0025. All 11 patients (100%) with an enlarged left atrial dimension had an increased diastolic left ventricular dimension, whereas 1 of 13 patients (8%) with a normal left atrial dimension had an increased diastolic left ventricular dimension, p less than 0.00001. The 11 patients (100%) with an enlarged left atrial dimension had increased posterior left ventricular wall thickness, whereas 2 of 13 patients (13%) with a normal left atrial dimension had increased posterior left ventricular wall thickness (p less than 0.0005). These data lead one to conclude that in patients with pure aortic stenosis, echocardiographic evidence of left atrial enlargement as measured by an increased left atrial dimension corrected for body surface area should lead one to suspect severe aortic stenosis.     

First‐in‐man transcatheter aortic valve implantation of a 20‐mm edwards SAPIEN XT valve: One step forward for the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis and small aortic annulus

We present the case of an 85‐year‐old woman diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, porcelain aorta, and a small aortic annulus (17.3 mm), who underwent successful transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with a 20‐mm Edwards SAPIEN XT valve using the NovaFlex+ delivery system. At 1‐month follow‐up the patient was in NYHA functional class I, and Doppler echocardiography showed a mean residual gradient of 15 mm Hg and trivial paravalvular aortic regurgitation. This case, which shows for the first time the feasibility of TAVI with a 20‐mm valve, opens a new avenue for the challenging treatment of patients with aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement and stroke: a comprehensive review

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative, rapidly evolving treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high surgical risk. Stroke is a devastating complication being confined mainly in the periprocedural and 30-day period following TAVR, with a lower and relatively constant frequency thereafter. Early stroke is mainly due to debris embolization during the procedure, whereas later events are associated with patient specific factors. Despite the fact that the rate of clinical stroke has been constantly decreasing compared to initial TAVR experience, modern neuro-imaging with MRI suggests that new ischemic lesions post-TAVR are almost universal. The impact of the latter is largely unknown. However, they seem to correlate with a reduction in neurocognitive function. Because TAVR is set to expand its indication to lower surgical-risk patients, stroke prophylaxis during and after TAVR becomes of paramount importance. Based on clinical and pathophysiological evidence, three lines of research are actively employed towards this direction: improvement in valve and delivery system technology with an aim to reduce manipulations and contact with the calcified aortic arch and native valve, antithrombotic therapy, and embolic protection devices. Careful patient selection, design of the procedure, and tailored antithrombotic strategies respecting the bleeding risks of this fragile population constitute the main defense against stroke following TAVR.     

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty as a bridge-to-decision in high risk patients with aortic stenosis: a new paradigm for the heart team decision making

Background Whilst the majority of the patients with severe aortic stenosis can be directly addressed to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), in some instances additional information may be needed to complete the diagnostic workout. We evaluated the role of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) as a bridge-to-decision (BTD) in selected high-risk patients. Methods Between 2007 and 2012, the heart team in our Institution required BTD BAV in 202 patients. Very low left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral regurgitation grade ≥ 3, frailty, hemodynamic instability, serious comorbidity, or a combination of these factors were the main drivers for this strategy. We evaluated how BAV influenced the final treatment strategy in the whole patient group and in each specific subgroup. Results Mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) was 23.5% ± 15.3%, age 81 ± 7 years. In-hospital mortality was 4.5%, cerebrovascular accident 1% and overall vascular complications 4% (0.5% major; 3.5% minor). Of the 193 patients with BTD BAV who survived and received a second heart team evaluation, 72.6% were finally deemed eligible for definitive treatment (25.4% for AVR; 47.2% for TAVI): 96.7% of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction recovery; 70.5% of patients with mitral regurgitation reduction; 75.7% of patients who underwent BAV in clinical hemodynamic instability; 69.2% of frail patients and 68% of patients who presented serious comorbidities. Conclusions Balloon aortic valvuloplasty can be considered as bridge-to- decision in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who cannot be immediate candidates for definitive transcatheter or surgical treatment.     

Aortic valve annulus diameter in Chinese patients with severe calcific aortic valve stenosis: implications for transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Objectives : The objective of the study was to describe the distribution and determine the predictors of aortic valve annulus diameter (AVAD) in Chinese patients with severe calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAS). Background : AVAD in Chinese patients with CAS has not been reported. Predictors of AVAD in patients with CAS are unclear. Methods : One hundred elderly patients (≥60 years) with severe CAS were included in the study. AVAD in all patients was measured by transthoracic echocardiograph (AVAD‐TTE) and in 74 patients of them was measured intra‐operatively (AVAD‐intra). Results : The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between AVAD‐TTE and AVAD‐intra was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.72–0.88). The differences between AVAD‐TTE and AVAD‐intra ranged from ?3 to 3 mm and were ≤≤ 2mm in 91.9% (68/74) of patients. The intra‐observer ICC for TTE was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.74–0.94). Mean AVAD in the whole population was 21.80 ± 2.09 (17–27) mm. 11% of cases had an AVAD < 20 mm, 78% had an AVAD between 20 and 24 mm, and 11% had an AVAD between 25 and 27 mm. The correlation between AVAD and height (r = 0.476, P < 0.001) was stronger than that between AVAD and weight (r = 0.215, P = 0.034) or body surface area (BSA) (r = 0.358, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression showed that height, sex, and age but not BSA were independent predictors of AVAD (all P < 0.05). Conclusion : Most of Chinese patients with CAS can be candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure in terms of AVAD, whereas more sizes of prosthetic valves need to be developed. Sex, age, and especially height, but not BAS, are independent predictors of AVAD in patients with CAS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Progression of valvar aortic stenosis: a long-term retrospective study

Aortic valve stenosis is a potentially serious condition. Progression from mild to severe aortic stenosis is well-recognized but there are few data as to the likely rate of progression. Clinical outcome and cardiac catheterization data were reviewed for 65 patients with valvar aortic stenosis. Each patient had been investigated by cardiac catheterization on at least two occasions, the interval between studies ranging between 1 and 17 years (mean 7 years). In 60 cases the aortic valve gradient had increased, from a median of 10 mmHg (range 0-60) to a median of 52 mmHg (range 15-120). The mean rate of increase of gradient was 6.5 mmHg per year, and was significantly faster in patients in whom there was aortic valve calcification or aortic regurgitation present at the first catheter study (P less than 0.02). This study shows that progression of aortic stenosis may be very rapid, and correlates with valve calcification and regurgitation. If cardiac surgery is proposed for co-existing coronary or mitral valve disease in patients with mild or moderate aortic valve gradients, then aortic valve replacement should be considered at that time.     

Measurement of aortic valve annulus using different cardiac imaging techniques in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: agreement with finally implanted prosthesis size

Aims: To compare the measurements of the aortic annulus obtained with various imaging techniques in patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and to determine the grade of agreement between the predicted size of the prosthesis for each technique, and the size of the finally implanted valve. Methods and results: The aortic annulus was measured in 40 patients treated by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (CoreValve aortic valve) with transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), 64‐slice tomography, and angiography. A large valve was implanted when annulus was >23 mm and a small one if it was ≤23 mm. If the size of the prosthesis predicted by several techniques was not the same in one case, we selected the size in which more techniques presented agreement. Forty aortic valves, 26 small and 14 large, were implanted percutaneously. The best correlation was obtained with TTE and TEE (r = 0.93, P < 0.001). The correlation of TTE and TEE with angiography also was good (r = 0.58, P < 0.001 and r = 0.53, P < 0.001, respectively). Correlations between these techniques and computed tomography were poor (P = NS for all comparisons). The best agreement between estimated aortic annulus and implanted valve size was obtained with transtoracic and TEE (κ= 0.88 and 0.76). Conclusions: The aortic annulus measurements obtained by TTE, TEE, and angiography correlated well, while tomography correlated poorly with other techniques. The imaging techniques that showed the best agreement between estimated aortic annulus size and implanted aortic valve size were TTE and TEE. (Echocardiography 2011;28:388‐396)     

Updates on transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Techniques,complications, outcome,and prognosis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) initially emerged as a therapeutic option for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Advancement in technologies since the first era of TAVRs, experience from previous obstacles, and lessons learned from complications have allowed the evolution of this procedure to the current state. This review focuses on the updates on the most current devices, complications, and outcomes of TAVR.     

Successful transfemoral aortic valve replacement in a bicuspid aortic stenotic valve: Requirements for a safe implant

Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been accepted as an attractive alternative for high‐risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS), patients with congenital bicuspid AS has been typically disqualified for this indication due to an implied risk of device dislocation, distortion, or device malfunctioning. Nonetheless, bicuspid AS is not uncommon and frequently missed by transthoracic echocardiography. We reported an interesting case of a high‐risk patient with severe symptomatic bicuspid AS who underwent successful TAVR and discussed the anatomic requirements for a safe implant in patients with bicuspid AS considered candidates for TAVR. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Management of low-gradient aortic stenosis

There is an important proportion of patients with significant aortic stenosis who present with low gradient. In clinical practice we distinguish three subpopulations: (1) “classical” type with low left ventricular ejection fraction, (2) paradoxical type with preserved ventricular ejection fraction and (3) patients with normal flow and low gradient. Differentiation between “true” severe aortic stenosis and pseudostenosis by means of low dose dobutamine stress test is sometimes necessary in order to set further management – operative or conservative respectively. Use of other imaging methods such as MSCT proved also valuable. Intervention of severe aortic stenosis in such cases is considered to be superior with regard to survival, though very high operative risk in some subgroups, typically for patients with low ejection fraction, has been reported.     

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty for severe aortic stenosis as a bridge to transcatheter/surgical aortic valve replacement

Objectives : This study aimed to determine success‐ and complication rates after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and the outcome of BAV as a standalone therapy versus BAV as a bridge to transcatheter/surgical aortic valve replacement (T/SAVR). Background : The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has led to a revival in BAV as treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Methods : A cohort of 472 patients underwent 538 BAV procedures. The cohort was divided into two groups: BAV alone 387 (81.9%) and BAV as a bridge 85 (18.1%) to (n = 65, TAVR; n = 20, surgery). Clinical, hemodynamic, and follow‐up mortality data were collected. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups in mean age (81.7 ± 8.3 vs. 83.2 ± 10.9 years, P = 0.18), society of thoracic surgeons score (13.1 ± 6.2 and 12.4 ± 6.4, P = 0.4), logistic EuroSCORE (45.4 ± 22.3 vs. 46.9 ± 21.8, P = 0.43), and other comorbidities. The mean increase in aortic valve area was 0.39 ± 0.25 in the BAV alone group and 0.42 ± 0.26 in the BAV as a bridge group, P = 0.33. The decrease in mean gradient was 24.1 ± 13.1 in the BAV alone group vs. 27.1 ± 13.8 in the BAV as a bridge group, P = 0.06. During a median follow up of 183 days [54–409], the mortality rate was 55.2% (n = 214) in the BAV alone group vs. 22.3% (n = 19) in the BAV as a bridge group during a median follow‐up of 378 days [177–690], P < 0.001. Conclusion : In high‐risk patients with aortic stenosis and temporary contraindications to SAVR/TAVR, BAV may be used as a bridge to intervention with good mid‐term outcomes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.