Leaflet modification or chimney stenting in patients at risk for coronary artery obstruction in valve-in-valve procedure for a failed surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve

Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (VIV-TAVR) for a degenerated surgical aortic bioprosthesis is a well-established treatment modality but carries an increased risk of coronary artery obstruction (CAO) with potentially catastrophic consequences. Both chimney stenting and leaflet modification by BASILICA (Bioprosthetic or Native Aortic Scallop Intentional Laceration to Prevent Iatrogenic Coronary Obstruction) are increasingly employed and can be highly effective means of preventing CAO. Using a case report, in which both strategies were utilized, as a platform for detailed discussion, we address the indications, contraindications, and relative merits of each technique in the prevention of CAO.     

Balloon valvuloplasty treatment of an infolded CoreValve

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an approved treatment for select patients with severe aortic stenosis. A rare complication of self‐expanding transcatheter heart valves (THVs) is infolding of the valve stent frame, which results in a malopposed segment, perivalvular aortic insufficiency, and possibly leaflet dysfunction. We report here a successful case of balloon valvuloplasty treatment for severe infolding of a self‐expandable THV in the aortic position, restoring stent frame geometry and leaflet function. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In vitro study of coronary flow occlusion in transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been developed recently for patients with high morbidities and who are believed to be not tolerate standard surgical aortic valve replacement. Nevertheless, the TAVI is associated with complications such as potential obstruction of coronary ostia, mitral valve insufficiency, and stent migration although it seems promising. Impairment of the coronary blood flow after TAVI is catastrophic and it was believed to be associated with the close position of the coronary orifice and the aortic leaflets and valve stent. However, few data was available as to the anatomic relationship between valve stent and aortic root anatomic structures including the coronary arterial ostia, aortic leaflets.

Methods

The aortic roots were observed in 40 hearts specimens. The width of aortic leaflet, height of aortic sinus annulus to the sinutubular junction (STJ), distance between aortic sinus annulus to its corresponding coronary ostia, and coronary arterial ostia to its corresponding STJ level were measured. Moreover, the relationships of valve stent, aortic leaflets and coronary ostia before/post stent implantation and after the open of aorta were evaluated respectively.

Results

Approximate three quarters of the coronary ostia were located below the STJ level. The mean distances from left, right and posterior aortic sinus annulus to the related STJ level was comparable, which was 18.5±2.7, 18.9±2.6, 18.7±2.6 mm, respectively. Meanwhile, the height of left and right aortic sinus annulus to its corresponding coronary ostia was 16.6±2.8 and 17.2±3.1 mm for left and right side respectively.

Conclusions

Most of the coronary ostia were located below the STJ level and could be covered by the leaflets. This highlights the need of modified stents to prevent occlusion of coronary flow after TAVI.     

Echocardiogram of the porcine aortic bioprosthesis in the mitral position

Echocardiography was performed in 10 consecutive patients who had a clinically normally functioning porcine aortic bioprosthesis in the mitral position. Strong well defined echoes were recorded from the anterior and posterior aspects of the xenograft stent. The maximal separation of the anterior and posterior stent echoes approximated the diameter of the stent at its base. The maximal excursion of the anterior stent was 5 to 10 mm (mean 7.5) with a mean systolic slope of 15 to 35 mm/sec (mean 22.2) and diastolic slope of 11 to 59 mm/sec (mean 21.5). In all 10 patients it was possible to record an anterior xenograft leaflet with anterior movement at the onset of diastole and posterior movement at the onset of systole and with appropriately steep (more than 200 mm/sec) slopes. The diastolic (E-F) slope of the anterior leaflet in 9 of the 10 patients ranged from 9 to 38 mm/sec (mean 19). In 6 of the 10 patients a posterior xenograft leaflet with a movement pattern symmetric with that of the anterior leaflet was recorded. In two patients, the central aortic leaflet was recorded with little diastolic displacement. These two patients also had mild aortic regurgitation, which was associated with diastolic shudder of the the xenograft leaflets.Echocardiography was also performed in one patient who was later shown to have a 10 cm³ thrombus on the ventricular surface of a xenograft valve. The echocardiogram in this patient revealed the following abnormalities: (1) excessive anterior stent movement and systolic slope suggesting paravalvular leak in the presence of abnormal cinefluoroscopic valve tilt, and (2) multiple dense nonhomogeneous echoes between the anterior and posterior aspects of the valve stent, with an early diastolic clear space behind the anterior stent and abnormal echoes behind the posterior stent during systole. Echocardiography therefore appears to be useful in evaluating the porcine aortic bioprosthesis in the mitral position.     

A unique cause of coronary obstruction after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Delayed coronary obstruction is a rare but often fatal complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement that can present within 24 hr after the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure. We present a case of a 77-year-old woman whose distal left main coronary artery bifurcation became obstructed by an embolized piece of native valve leaflet material 16 hours after the uncomplicated transfemoral implantation of an Edwards Sapien Ultra 23 mm aortic valve, which was successfully treated with the simultaneous kissing stent technique.     

Pre‐emptive positioning of a coronary stent in the left anterior descending artery for left main protection: A prerequisite for transcatheter aortic valve‐in‐valve implantation for failing stentless bioprostheses?

Transcatheter aortic valve‐in‐valve (VIV) implantation in high‐risk patients with degenerative surgical bioprosthetic aortic valves is a novel application of transcatheter aortic valve replacement technology. Although transcatheter aortic VIV procedure is clinically effective in most patients, it is a more demanding procedure in terms of the technical aspects of procedural planning. VIV carries a higher risk of coronary occlusion which is associated with a higher rate of in‐hospital mortality. We hereby report a technique of pre‐emptive left main (LM) protection, by positioning a coronary stent in the proximal left anterior descending artery prior to VIV implantation. The patient treated was considered to be at an increased risk of LM occlusion as a result of the procedure. The technique was performed in anticipation of emergent bailout stenting of the LM. As predicted, the LM occluded during the procedure and LM protection facilitated the safe and effective treatment of an otherwise life‐threatening procedure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The first case of “locked‐in leaflet” after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in a patient with bicuspid aortic stenosis

This case report is about an 85‐year‐old woman with bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS). Although preoperative multimodality imaging showed challenging anatomical aspects, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was selected to be performed as a less invasive alternative treatment approach, owing to her comorbidity. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography and multidetector‐row computed tomography revealed the presence of “locked‐in leaflet” caused by stent distortion due to pinching by calcified native leaflets, with nodular calcification preventing the full expansion of the valve, which resulted in moderate perivalvular leakage. This is the first reported case of bicuspid AS treated with TAVR that eventually resulted in “locked‐in leaflet.”     

Mitral‐aortic intervalvular fibrosa pseudoaneurysm causing compression of superior vena cava and right atrium

The mitral‐aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) is a fibrous, avascular region between the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve. This makes MAIVF vulnerable to injury and infection; thus pseudoaneurysm may develop. The pseudoaneurysm can cause compression to coronary arteries which causes angina or pulmonary artery resulting in pulmonary hypertension. We presented the pseudoaneurysm of MAIVF causing compression of superior vena cava and right atrium which was visualized by two‐ and three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography.     

External coronary artery compression due to prosthetic valve bacterial endocarditis

Acute coronary syndromes in the setting of infective endocarditis may be the result of coronary compression secondary to periannular aortic valve complications, coronary embolism, obstruction of the coronary ostium due to a large vegetation, coronary atherosclerosis, and severe aortic insufficiency. External coronary artery compression as a result of infective endocarditis is a rare and lethal finding with few reported cases available in the medical literature. We present a rare occurrence of an acute coronary syndrome occurring in the setting of a bioprosthetic aortic valve abscess in which there was no complete coronary occlusion visualized and given the patient's recent unremarkable catheterization and findings of diffuse tapering of the proximal left coronary system, the most likely etiology was external compression secondary to the known aortic root abscess, which caused myocardial ischemia, and was confirmed during surgery. Although uncommon, external compression should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome in this setting and coronary angiography can be diagnostic of this entity.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Echocardiography in transcatheter aortic (Core)Valve implantation: Part 2—Transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a significant role during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR). 2DTEE allows assessment of anatomy of the aortic valve, aortic root, left ventricular (LV) outflow tract, severity of the aortic valve stenosis (AS), and the presence and severity of other valve stenosis and regurgitation. Left and right ventricular size and global function as well as cardiac hemodynamics pre and post TAVR and LV regional wall motion can be assessed. Three‐dimensional (3D) imaging adds significantly via accurate measurement of aortic annulus that helps select the appropriate valve size. Biplane imaging allows simultaneous assessment of target cardiac structure in two orthogonal views and provides a rapid assessment during and immediately post valve deployment by evaluating stent height, leaflet motion, and the presence and severity of paravalvular leak (PVL). 2DTEE and 3DTEE allow evaluation of mechanism of PVL that helps guide the decision regarding need for balloon post dilation of the implanted valve or valve in valve implantation.     

CoreValve Prosthesis Causes Anterior Mitral Leaflet Perforation Resulting in Severe Mitral Regurgitation

Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative to surgical therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high operative risk, but it is associated with specific complications. We report the case of a 72-year-old man who underwent the procedure without complications; however, 45 days after the procedure, he was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of heart failure secondary to severe mitral regurgitation. Necropsy findings showed prosthesis malposition and perforation of the anterior mitral leaflet caused by the contact of the stent of the CoreValve prosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). We discuss TAVR complications, specifically regarding low positioning of the prosthetic valve.     

Correlation of anatomic and hemodynamic features with aortic valve leaflet deformity in doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect

Summary The records of 153 patients with doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect (DCVSD) who underwent intracardiac repair were analyzed to evaluate factors responsible for aortic valve leaflet deformity. The patients were divided into two groups according to their echocardiographic and angiographic features as well as anatomic findings at operation: DCVSD without (17/153, 11.1%) and with arterial valve offsetting (136/153, 88.9%). Aortic regurgitation (AR) was much more prevalent in the patients with (50.0%) than in those without leaflet deformity (2.2%,P < 0.01). Arterial valve offsetting is one of the major contributing factors to the development of leaflet deformity, accounting for 5.9% in the patients without offsetting and 46.3% in those with offsetting (P < 0.01). Among the patients with arterial valve offsetting, the pulmonary-to-systemic pressure ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the patients without (0.76 ± 0.14) than in those with leaflet deformity (0.36 ± 0.12), suggesting that pulmonary hypertension might prevent the aortic valve leaflet from prolapsing in DCVSD. In addition, increased severity of aortic valve leaflet deformity and subsequent AR were observed with increasing age. These results suggest that aging and the presence of arterial valve offsetting as well as the absence of pulmonary hypertension might be factors responsible for aortic valve leaflet deformity and subsequent AR in DCVSD. The anatomic and hemodynamic features in DCVSD have a great impact on the development of aortic valve leaflet deformity and subsequent AR.     

Flail aortic valve leaflets: M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic manifestations

Four patients with documented flail aortic valve leaflets were studied using M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D echo). Two had aortic valve endocarditis, one had endocarditis involving a congenital heart defect, and one had a myxomatous aortic valve. Mitral valve flutter and early mitral valve closure led to the diagnosis of severe aortic insufficiency in three patients. Diastolic aortic valve flutter, considered to be specific for a flail aortic leaflet, was present in three patients. In the fourth patient left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) echoes were present, but did not distinguish between a flail aortic leaflet and an aortic vegetation. Two-D echo confirmed LVOT echoes in all patients. Discrimination between a flail leaflet and a vegetation(s) without leaflet disruption was accomplished by noting the hinge point of the LVOT diastolic echoes, which was the aortic wall in patients with a flail leaflet.The combination of these M-mode and 2-D echocardiographic findings permitted the diagnosis of a flail aortic leaflet to be made accurately and noninvasively. In two patients surgery was performed without prior cardiac catheterization.     

A repositionable valved stent for endovascular treatment of deteriorated bioprostheses.

OBJECTIVES: We report our animal experience of endovascular valve replacement (VR) of failed bioprosthesis (BP) using an original delivery catheter allowing repositioning of the valved stent (VS). BACKGROUND: Among the different devices designed for percutaneous VR, none has the potential for repositioning of a fully deployed VS. METHODS: Five sheep underwent, on beating heart, tricuspid VR with a stented BP. Prolapse of 1 leaflet was induced by tearing. For the endovascular tricuspid VR, we used a VS constructed with a nitinol self-expandable stent and a porcine stentless aortic valve. We also used an original delivery catheter, allowing repositioning of the VS through a compression or relaxation mechanism of the stent. RESULTS: Epicardial echocardiography and right ventriculography showed severe tricuspid regurgitation, with a regurgitant jet extending to the inferior vena cava. After surgical exposure to the infrarenal inferior vena cava, the VS was successfully implanted inside the failed BP in all cases. Repositioning of the fully deployed VS was always possible. Echocardiographic and macroscopic studies revealed adequate VS positioning, excellent leaflet opening, and absence of any intraprosthetic or periprosthetic leak. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular VR was easily performed in sheep with failed BP in the tricuspid position. The novel delivery catheter allowed adequate repositioning of our fully deployed VS before its definitive release. One may anticipate that the safety improvement conferred by this new technology will certainly favor the development of percutaneous VR in clinical practice.     

Chimney Stenting for Coronary Occlusion During TAVR: Insights From the Chimney Registry

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of chimney stenting, a bailout technique to treat coronary artery occlusion (CAO).BackgroundCAO during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rare but often fatal complication.MethodsIn the international Chimney Registry, patient and procedural characteristics and data on outcomes are retrospectively collected from patients who underwent chimney stenting during TAVR.ResultsTo date, 16 centers have contributed 60 cases among 12,800 TAVR procedures (0.5%). Chimney stenting was performed for 2 reasons: 1) due to the development of an established CAO (n = 25 [41.6%]); or 2) due to an impending CAO (n = 35 [58.3%]). The majority of cases (92.9%) had 1 or more classical risk factors for CAO. Upfront coronary protection was performed in 44 patients (73.3%). Procedural and in-hospital mortality occurred in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. Myocardial infarction (52.0% vs. 0.0%; p < 0.01), cardiogenic shock (52.0% vs. 2.9%; p < 0.01), and resuscitation (44.0% vs. 2.9%; p < 0.01) all occurred more frequently in patients with established CAO compared with those with impending CAO. The absence of upfront coronary protection was the sole independent risk factor for the combined endpoint of death, cardiogenic shock, or myocardial infarction. During a median follow-up time of 612 days (interquartile range: 405 to 842 days), 2 cases of stent failure were reported (1 in-stent restenosis, 1 possible late stent thrombosis) after 157 and 374 days.ConclusionsChimney stenting appears to be an acceptable bailout technique for CAO, with higher event rates among those with established CAO and among those without upfront coronary protection.     

Successful coronary intervention after percutaneous aortic valve replacement.

Percutaneous aortic valve replacement has been reported previously. Progression of underlying coronary artery disease is expected with the aging population. We report the case of an 85 year old patient who underwent successful percutaneous coronary stent placement 15 months after receiving an Edwards percutaneous heart valve in the aortic position. Coronary angiography, stent deployment, and crossing of the aortic valve were all completed without any complications using standard angiographic catheters.     

Trans‐apical aortic valve implantation complicated by left main occlusion

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a highly effective procedure for selected patients who are at high risk for aortic valve replacement; however, the incidence of severe complications is still relevant. Coronary occlusion during TAVI is a life‐threatening complication that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of an 87‐years‐old woman affected by severe aortic stenosis, symptomatic for refractory heart failure, who underwent urgent balloon aortic valvuloplasty and subsequent elective transapical aortic valve implantation. Valve deployment was complicated by cardiac arrest and hemodynamic collapse, and left main coronary artery occlusion was recognized and successfully recovered by balloon angioplasty and stent implantation. Patient is alive and well 6 months after procedure. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

老年主动脉瓣膜钙化患者与冠心病关系的探讨

目的通过超声心动图及冠状动脉造影的检查,探讨老年主动脉瓣膜钙化患者与冠心病的关系。方法选择我院拟诊为冠心病的老年住院患者(年龄≥60岁)308例,均经过超声心动图及冠状动脉造影术检查。根据超声心动图对主动脉瓣膜钙化情况的检查,将其分成主动脉瓣膜钙化组(166例)及主动脉瓣膜无钙化组(142例)。结果主动脉瓣膜钙化组与主动脉瓣膜无钙化组在年龄、高血压史、糖尿病史、吸烟史比较无统计学差异(P>0.05);血脂指标:主动脉瓣膜钙化组与主动脉瓣膜无钙化组比较,TG、TC、HDL-C及LDL-C有统计学差异(P<0.05);冠状动脉造影检查:主动脉瓣膜钙化组与主动脉瓣膜无钙化组比较有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论老年主动脉瓣膜钙化患者与冠心病有一定的相关性,通过对老年主动脉瓣膜钙化患者行心脏超声心动图的无创检查,结合病史及实验室检查,对高危患者有一定的筛查作用。     

Association of aortic valve sclerosis and coronary artery disease in patients with severe nonischemic mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND: The presence of aortic valve sclerosis accounts for a higher rate of ischemic events and increased cardiovascular mortality. It may reflect coronary artery disease (CAD) because of a shared pathologic background. HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to analyze whether the presence of aortic valve sclerosis might help in identifying patients with coronary atherosclerosis among those with severe nonischemic mitral regurgitation (MR), who undergo coronary angiography before surgery for screening, and not because of suspected ischemic heart disease. METHODS: In all, 84 patients (mean age 64 +/- 9 years; 71% men) with mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation underwent echocardiography and coronary angiography. Aortic valve sclerosis was defined as focal areas of increased echogenicity and thickening of the leaflets without restriction of leaflet motion on echocardiography. Coronary artery disease was defined by the presence/absence of atherosclerotic plaques, independent of the degree of stenosis. RESULTS: Coronary artery disease was diagnosed in 47.6% of patients with and 15.8% of those without aortic valve sclerosis (p = 0.008). On logistic regression analysis, the presence of aortic valve sclerosis predicted CAD (odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.03-10.5; p = 0.04) independent of age. In female patients, the risk ratio for CAD in the presence of aortic valve sclerosis was 9. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery atherosclerosis and aortic valve sclerosis are closely associated in patients with severe nonischemic MR.