Use of a Melody Pulmonary Valve in Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Replacement for Tricuspid Valve Bioprosthesis Degeneration

Bioprosthetic heart valves can degenerate and fail over time. Repeat surgery as a means of replacement increases morbidity and mortality rates, and some patients are not candidates for reoperation. A newer treatment, percutaneous transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation, might delay or substitute for invasive procedures. We present the case of a 51-year-old woman, a poor candidate for surgery who had prosthetic tricuspid valve degeneration and stenosis. We successfully performed valve-in-valve placement of a Melody^® valve, using a procedure originally intended to treat pulmonary valve conduit obstruction or regurgitation. To our knowledge, this is among the first case reports to describe the use of the Melody pulmonary valve in transcatheter valve-in-valve replacement for prosthetic tricuspid stenosis that was otherwise not correctable. Additional data and longer follow-up periods are necessary to gain an understanding of ideal indications and selection of patients for the percutaneous transcatheter treatment of tricuspid valve stenosis.     

Intracardiac echo guided valvuloplasty of a stenotic tricuspid prosthetic valve in a patient with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

A 52-year-old male with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) was transferred to our institution following the development of acute respiratory failure and shock. He had previously undergone tricuspid valve replacement with bioprosthetic valves on two occasions: the initial surgery for severe native tricuspid valve stenosis and the redo surgery for severe prosthetic valve stenosis and regurgitation. Conventional imaging assessment using transoesophageal echocardiography was suboptimal and comprehensive assessment of prosthetic valve function was aided by the use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE). ICE provided high quality 2D imaging of the prosthesis demonstrating thrombus-like material coating the inner surfaces of the prosthetic valve stents effectively forming a tunnel-like obstruction. Unusual hemodynamics secondary to severe tricuspid stenosis were demonstrated by CW Doppler with intermittent "signal fusion" resulting from blunted respiratory variation in the markedly elevated right atrial pressure relative to right ventricular pressure. Successful balloon valvuloplasty was performed with ICE proving highly valuable in guiding balloon position as well as monitoring the efficacy of the subsequent inflations.     

经导管主动脉瓣置换器械研制及动物实验方法

目的探讨经导管置入新型带瓣膜球囊扩张支架,置换动物主动脉瓣的可行性和有效性。方法自行设计圆柱状网状支架,使用医用316L不锈钢激光雕刻而成。将新鲜的猪心包经脱细胞等处理后裁剪成人工瓣膜,缝合在不锈钢支架上,制成带瓣膜主动脉支架。手术前将带瓣膜支架压缩至定制的相应大小球囊的预载输送鞘管上。选择健康羊3只,开腹分离腹主动脉,穿刺腹主动脉,建立轨道,X线引导下沿加硬导丝经22F输送鞘管将带瓣膜支架逆行送至主动脉瓣位置,扩张球囊释放支架,置换原主动脉瓣。于手术后即刻观察实验效果。结果 1只实验羊因支架置入位置过低突入左心室造成动物心室颤动后死亡,另2只实验羊经导管瓣膜置换术均获得成功,术后即时影像及解剖结果表明人工主动脉瓣膜置入位置理想,可代替原瓣膜工作。结论经导管置入自制新型带瓣膜球囊扩张支架置换动物主动脉瓣方法可行,效果理想。     

Simultaneous transcatheter pulmonary and tricuspid valve‐in‐valve implantation for the treatment of failing pulmonary and tricuspid bioprostheses

We report a case of a patient with a history of bioprosthetic pulmonary and tricuspid valve replacement who developed significant stenosis and regurgitation of the bioprosthetic valves. Due to multiple comorbidities, he was deemed high risk for redo‐valve replacement surgery. He subsequently underwent percutaneous transcatheter pulmonary and tricuspid valve‐in‐valve procedure at the same setting. This is the first of such that is reported in the literature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Transhepatic implant of a trimmed Melody™ valved stent in tricuspid position in a 1‐year‐old infant

Percutaneous valved stent implantation is precluded in small infants because large delivery sheaths and large devices. We describe a procedure in a 1‐year‐old boy in whom a 19 mm Epic? valve in tricuspid position had become dysfunctional. As the internal diameter of the prosthetic valve was about 16 mm, the only available valve was the Melody? valved stent. Technical modifications were required to address issues like venous access, the bulky delivery system, and the length of the valved stent. The Melody? valved stent was surgically trimmed and mounted on a 16 mm Tyshak balloon, access was provided transhepatically through a short 18 Fr sheath. After deployment, the intrahepatic route was sealed with two vascular plugs (8 and 10 mm) in tandem. The procedure was uncomplicated with perfect valve function 18 months after implant. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Oral everolimus inhibits neointimal proliferation in prosthetic pulmonary valved stents in pigs

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Growth factor-dependent cell proliferation can cause in-stent neointimal hyperplasia. The study aim was to evaluate whether oral everolimus inhibits the intimal proliferation associated with the implantation of prosthetic pulmonary valved stents. METHODS: Prosthetic pulmonary valves were implanted in 12 pigs (mean bodyweight 25 kg) using a transcatheter technique. Tricuspid valves were prepared from a titanium-coated polymer and sewn into a self-expanding nitinol stent (diameter 20 mm). Valved stents were implanted in the pulmonary position, where they remained for three months. In six animals, treatment with 2 mg/kg everolimus (Certican; Novartis) per day was started three days before implantation and continued throughout the course of the experiment. The other six pigs acted as controls. Adjuvant anticoagulation treatment consisted of acetylsalicylic acid and oral clopidogrel. After three months, hemodynamic valve function was investigated at catheterization and with MRI. At postmortem investigation the valved stents were explanted and subjected to macroscopic, histological and electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: There were no adverse side effects due to everolimus treatment. The overall mean everolimus plasma level during the study was 4.2 +/- 2.4 ng/ml. MRI revealed intact valve function with a regurgitation fraction of 7.3 +/- 4.2% in controls and 4.3 +/- 3.1% in the everolimus group (p <0.01). On macroscopic inspection and histological examination, the everolimus group showed only a thin tissue coverage of the stent struts. The valve cusps were free from intimal thickening, and electron microscopy showed a thin continuous cellular coating. In contrast, substantial neointimal formation was noted in controls. Tissue neogenesis was pronounced at the base of the valve, extended to the valve cusps, and caused valve thickening and foreshortening. CONCLUSION: The oral administration of everolimus effectively inhibits tissue neogenesis in pulmonary valved stents in pigs.     

Transapical tricuspid valve‐in‐ring implantation: An alternative approach to a challenging clinical scenario

We report on a transapical tricuspid valve‐in‐ring implantation performed via right ventricular apex using the Sapien‐XT‐prosthesis. A 57‐year‐old woman with recurrent episodes of right heart failure and three previous sternotomies, including tricuspid valve repair with a 32 mm Carpentier–Edwards–Classic annuloplasty ring was admitted due to recurrent severe tricuspid regurgitation. Given the excessive surgical risk, a 29 mm Sapien‐XT‐prosthesis was selected for valve‐in‐ring implantation. Transapical valve‐in‐ring implantation procedure was uneventful. Predischarge echocardiography showed only trace paravalvular tricuspid regurgitation in the septal region. Transapical approach via right ventricular apex is a viable alternative for tricuspid valve‐in‐ring implantation in selected high‐risk patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tricuspid regurgitation as a complication of Edwards Sapien XT valve implantation in pulmonary position a problem to deal with

Nowadays, percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) is a suitable alternative to surgical procedure in patients with right ventricle outflow tract dysfunction. Two valves are currently available for PPVI: the Melody valve and the Edwards Sapien valve. The following complications may occur: coronary artery compression, deformation of the aortic root, stent or valve embolization, damage of distal pulmonary arteries, access site injuries. Here, we report on three cases of severe tricuspid regurgitation due to valvular and subvalvular apparatus damage during Edwards Sapien XT valve implantation.     

Tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease evaluation and management

The clinical detection and quantification of tricuspid valve disease, although important, is not entirely accurate. Diagnostic evaluation is based on echocardiography, and color flow Doppler is useful for quantifying tricuspid regurgitation. Echocardiography provides information on heart chamber dimensions, right ventricular function, and the degree of pulmonary hypertension. In addition, tricuspid stenosis can be accurately assessed using mean and end-diastolic pressure gradient measurements. The treatment options for tricuspid stenosis include balloon valvuloplasty and surgical valve repair. Functional tricuspid regurgitation associated with left heart disease may require surgical attention during an operation to treat the left heart disease. Severe tricuspid regurgitation usually requires surgery to be performed in association with mitral valve surgery. Mild-to-moderate tricuspid regurgitation requires surgery when annular dilatation or severe pulmonary hypertension is present. The surgical options include tricuspid valve repair, with or without an annuloplasty ring. In patients with a primary anatomic deformity of the tricuspid valve, replacement of the valve with a bioprosthesis or mechanical valve may be considered. Intermediate and long-term results favor annuloplasty valve repair over valve replacement. Pulmonary valve disease is predominantly congenital, and generally takes the form of pulmonary stenosis. Pulmonary regurgitation often results from surgical or balloon valvuloplasty and is associated with deleterious long-term sequelae. The recent development of percutaneous valve replacement was a major advance.     

Tricuspid prosthesis stenosis associated with endocarditis: a new M-mode finding

A man with endocarditis was found to have prosthetic tricuspid valve (TV) stenosis without regurgitation. The large vegetation moved into the TV prosthesis orifice in diastole. A seldom-recognized echocardiographic finding was observed in which the interatrial septum bulged toward the left atrium in diastole.     

Transvenous Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve Implantation after Bioprosthetic Tricuspid Valve Failure

We describe the case of a 38-year-old man with a history of metastatic testicular cancer who had undergone multiple thoracic surgical procedures, including tricuspid valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve as a result of tricuspid involvement of his malignancy. He presented at our outpatient cardiology clinic with worsening fatigue, shortness of breath, and peripheral edema, investigation of which revealed severe tricuspid bioprosthesis stenosis with central regurgitation. Because of the patient''s medical history, he was considered to be a high-risk surgical candidate. Therefore, transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation of a 26-mm Edwards Sapien^® valve was attempted through a transjugular approach. The procedure restored tricuspid valvar competence and substantially improved the patient''s symptoms. We discuss the technical aspects of this case and briefly review the usefulness of the valve-in-valve technique in the tricuspid position.     

Percutaneous valved stent repair of a failed homograft: implications for the Ross procedure

A case of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation following a failed homograft in the pulmonary position is reported. A 16-year-old boy developed infective endocarditis of his pulmonary homograft, which was implanted four years earlier during a Ross procedure for congenital aortic stenosis. Following successful medical therapy, the boy was symptomatic due to pulmonary stenosis and regurgitation. A 22 mm Melody valve (Medtronic, USA) was successfully implanted percutaneously. His symptoms resolved and he was discharged home one day after the procedure. Echocardiography at the six-month follow-up demonstrated a normally functioning pulmonary valve. Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement may make the Ross procedure a more attractive option for patients with aortic stenosis, particularly in the pediatric population.     

Assessment of tricuspid valve by two‐ and three‐dimensional echocardiography with special reference to percutaneous repair and prosthetic valve implantation procedures

Moderate‐to‐severe tricuspid regurgitation affects approximately 1.6 million people in the United States. An estimated 8000 patients will undergo tricuspid surgery annually, leaving a large number of patients with this condition untreated. Many of these individuals who are not referred for surgery engender a large unmet clinical need; this may be primarily due to the surgical risk involved. In persons who are categorized as high‐risk surgical candidates, percutaneous procedures present a viable alternative. The majority of developmental attention as regards percutaneous approaches has been focused on the aortic and mitral valves recently, but few data are available about the feasibility and efficacy of minimally invasive tricuspid valve treatment. We review the usefulness of two‐ and three‐dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of the tricuspid valve with special reference to recent interest in percutaneous repair and prosthetic valve implantation procedures for severe functional tricuspid regurgitation.     

BALLOON DILATATION PULMONARY VALVULOPLASTY IN PULMONARY STENOSIS

Abstract Balloon valvuloplasty was used to treat congenital pulmonary valve stenosis in 13 patients, 11 with isolated pulmonary stenosis, one associated with complex univentricular heart and tricuspid atresia, and one associated with tetralogy of Fallot. A balloon catheter was introduced through the pulmonary valve over a guidewire positioned in the distal pulmonary artery and inflated for 15 seconds on two or three occasions to 3 to 5 atmospheres and rapidly deflated. Marked improvement in pressure gradients was achieved in eight of the 11 patients with isolated pulmonary valve stenosis and symptoms disappeared in the only patient in this group who was symptomatic. The two patients with complex congenital malformations improved clinically. The procedure was without complication and satisfactory results have been maintained from two to twelve months later. The procedure offers effective treatment. We believe that pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty should be the initial treatment for isolated severe and moderate pulmonary valve stenosis.     

开胸经导管植入带瓣膜支架置换肺动脉瓣的实验观察

目的 探讨开胸经导管植入带瓣膜支架置换肺动脉瓣的可行性以及6个月的实验效果.方法 以新鲜的羊心包为材料,给予0.6％戊二醛浸泡36 h后缝合在瓣膜环上,并将其固定在镍钛记忆合金自膨胀支架上,制成带瓣膜肺动脉支架.选择体重为(23.5±3.1)kg的健康羊,通过开胸穿刺右心室前壁,将带瓣膜支架经导管植入至肺动脉瓣处,置换自身肺动脉瓣膜,随访6个月,观察实验效果.结果 1只羊术后4个月死于肺动脉支架内血栓形成,4只羊随访6个月,心脏彩色超声、右心室以及肺动脉瓣上造影证实支架的位置及瓣膜功能良好,64排CT检查发现支架无移位.结论 开胸经导管植入带瓣膜支架置换肺动脉瓣方法可行,随访6个月效果理想.     

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation in grown‐up congenital heart disease patients: Insights from the Zurich experience

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess indications, procedural success, complications, echocardiographic, and clinical outcomes of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) in adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Background

PPVI offers a non‐surgical treatment option for failing prosthetic conduits in pulmonary position. However, efficacy and clinical outcomes after PPVI are still underreported.

Methods

From January 2008 to March 2016, 25 adult CHD patients with right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenosis and/or pulmonary regurgitation underwent PPVI in our institution. Clinical and echocardiographic data was collected at baseline, at 12 months of follow‐up and yearly afterwards.

Results

Tetralogy of Fallot and repaired pulmonary atresia were among the most prevalent underlying congenital defects. Twenty‐one (84%) received a Medtronic Melody® and four (16%) patients an Edwards Sapien valve prosthesis. The PPVI procedure was successful in all 25 patients. Pre‐stenting was performed in all but two (8%) patients. PPVI reduced peak‐to‐peak pulmonary valve gradient from 43 (IQR 28‐60) mmHg to 16 (IQR 14‐22) mmHg (P < 0.001). Periprocedural complications occurred in two (8%) patients (tricuspid valve damage, pulmonary artery perforation). Over a median follow‐up of 43 (IQR 18‐58) months all patients were alive. Only two (8%) required re‐operation and two (8%) developed stent fractures (one of them had not undergone pre‐stenting). NYHA functional class improved significantly, with 20 (80%) patients in NYHA class I on follow‐up.

Conclusions

PPVI with Medtronic Melody or Edwards Sapien valve conduits is safe and provides effective relief from right ventricular outflow tract obstruction or pulmonary regurgitation.     

Incidence and concomitant factors of tricuspid valve insufficiency in patients with aortic and mitral valve diseases

Invasive data about the frequency and associated factors of tricuspid regurgitation in normals and in patients with aortic and mitral valve disease are still rare. Thus, right ventricular biplane angiograms (RAO/LAO projection), the mean pulmonary artery pressure and the presence of atrial fibrillation were analyzed with regard to tricuspid regurgitation in 30 normals and 165 patients with pure mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, combined mitral valve disease or combined aortic valve disease. Patients with tricuspid stenosis or coronary artery disease were excluded. In 52 of the 195 patients tricuspid regurgitation was present. Tricuspid regurgitation occurred statistically more often in patients with mitral stenosis (33%), mitral regurgitation (48%) or combined mitral valve disease (68%) than in patients with aortic regurgitation (4%) or combined aortic valve disease (3%). In patients with aortic stenosis and in normals tricuspid regurgitation was not present. In patients with combined mitral valve disease, tricuspid regurgitation was more often present than in patients with pure mitral stenosis (p less than 0.002), despite comparable values of the mean pulmonary artery pressure, the right ventricular enddiastolic and endsystolic volume indexes, the right ventricular ejection fraction and the frequency of atrial fibrillation. Only in patients with pure mitral regurgitation tricuspid regurgitation was associated with an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (p less than 0.02). Differences in the right ventricular size and function did not occur between normals and patients with mitral or aortic valve disease. Therefore, the mean pulmonary artery pressure, atrial fibrillation and the size and function of the right ventricle are not major determinants for the occurrence of tricuspid regurgitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Insufficiency of a Damus‐Kaye‐Stansel anastomosis in a Fontan patient: Transfemoral implantation of an Edwards Sapien 3 valve

We present a 22‐year‐old patient with a univentricular heart who had already undergone five open heart surgeries including a Damus‐Kaye‐Stansel procedure, Fontan completion and tricuspid valve replacement. In addition, epimyocardial pacemaker implantation and repeated revisions had been necessary. He developed symptomatic free regurgitation of the pulmonary portion of his DKS anastomosis. To avoid additional high‐risk open‐heart surgery, we successfully implanted an Edwards Sapien 3 valve transfemorally in the pulmonary portion of the DKS anastomosis relieving insufficiency.     

人工机械瓣功能障碍的超声诊断

目的　评价人工机械瓣功能障碍彩色多普勒超声心动图的诊断价值。方法　使用 Sequoia2 5 6、HP5 5 0 0、ATL超 9彩色多普勒超声诊断仪检查 42例 (4 4个人工瓣 )术后重复出现临床症状的病人 ,并与手术结果进行比较。结果超声诊断瓣膜梗阻 12个 ,瓣周漏 16个 ,瓣内漏 16个 ,与手术相符率为 :人工瓣膜梗阻为 10 0 %,瓣周漏为 81%,瓣内漏为 87%。引起功能障碍原因有血栓、赘生物、缝线撕脱、碟片磨损。结论　超声诊断人工机械瓣功能障碍准确性高 ,是临床上评价人工机械瓣功能障碍的最重要检查方法。     

经皮肺动脉瓣球囊成形术疗效及其影响因素

目的 评价经皮肺动脉瓣球囊成形术(PBPV)治疗单纯肺动脉瓣狭窄(PS)的疗效,探讨影响疗效的相关因素.方法 自1996年2月至2003年3月PBPV治疗PS 65例.年龄1～48(13.5±9.3)岁.65例术前超声心动图均提示不同程度PS.使用单、双球囊和Inoue球囊分别为41、6及18例.球囊直径选择依据肺动脉瓣环的大小,球瓣比1.00～1.19、1.20～1.39和≥1.40分别为19、42和4例.定义术后即刻跨肺动脉瓣压力阶差(PTG)<36 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)为手术即刻成功标准.25例6～12个月随访,行右心导管术或超声心动网评价PTG.结果 65例患者术前PTG为(86.4±33.6)mm Hg,右心室收缩压(107.5±36.5)mm Hg,术后即刻PTG降至(31.5±23.4)mm Hg,术后即刻右心室收缩压降至(55.0±23.6)mm Hg,53例(81.5%)术后即刻PTG<36 mm Hg.Inoue球囊组术后即刻PTG低于单、双球囊组,球瓣比1.20～1.39组术后即刻PTG低于球囊比1.00～1.19及≥1.40组,但差异无统计学意义.术后2例出现三尖瓣反流,26例发生继发性流出道狭窄,Inoue球囊组占13例.25例12个月随访时PTG为(35.7±23.9)mm Hg,其中3例出现肺动脉瓣关闭不全,末给予特殊处理,无再狭窄发生.术后即刻6例PTG≥36 mm Hg患者,随访中PTG均降低.随访11例继发性流出道狭窄右心窒收缩压逐渐降低(P<0.01).结论 PBPV即刻和中期疗效好,是PS的首选治疗方法 .选择球瓣比1.20～1.39和Inoue球囊疗效较佳.