Simultaneous transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement and transcatheter mitral valve replacement for native valvular stenosis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is well established for patients who cannot undergo surgery (Leon et al., N Engl J Med 2010;363:1597) or are high risk for surgery (Smith et al., N Engl J Med 2011;364:2187–2198). Experience with the TAVR procedure has led to recent reports of successful transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) procedures (Cheung et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2014;64:1814; Seiffert et al., J Am Coll Cardiol Interv 2012;5:341–349) separately or simultaneously with the TAVR. However, these reports were of simultaneous valve‐in‐valve procedures (Cheung Anson, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013;61:1759–1766). A recent report from Portugal also reported simultaneous transpical implantation of an inverted transcatheter aortic valve‐in‐ring in the mitral position and transcatheter aortic valve (Hasan et al., Circulation 2013;128:e74–e76). There has been an experience of TMVR only in native mitral valve for mitral valve stenosis, but none in both aortic and mitral valves. We report the first in human case of simultaneous transapical TAVR and TMVR in native valves secondary to valvular stenosis. Our patient was not a candidate for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty secondary to a high Wilkins Score. Sizing of the aortic valve was based on the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), whereas sizing of the mitral valve was based on TEE measurements and balloon inflation during left ventriculography. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Double trouble: A case of periprocedural detection of intracardiac thrombus and aortic root dissection during emergent transfemoral TAVR

We report a case of emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a 65‐year‐old patient presenting with decompensated severe aortic stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used effectively to obtain measurements of the aortic annulus and for intra‐procedural guidance. At baseline, we detected a left atrial appendage thrombus and a localized aortic root dissection after balloon valvuloplasty. The case highlights the important role that TEE may play during TAVR procedures.     

Shock,Thrombus, TAVR: A Challenging TAVR With Large Left-Ventricular Thrombus

A 50-year-old man presented in cardiogenic shock. Echocardiogram showed ejection fraction (EF) 22%, apical thrombus, and severe bicuspid aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was recommended, given his high surgical risk. Urgent TAVR was performed without complication, using transcatheter cerebral embolic protection and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for left-ventricular wire placement. The patient was discharged on warfarin, and follow-up echocardiogram showed no apical thrombus, EF 55%, and well-functioning bioprosthesis. This case shows a good TAVR outcome in bicuspid aortic stenosis despite apical thrombus and poor EF. Cerebral embolic protection and ICE can minimize risk of stroke.     

Novel percutaneous intervention technique for obstructed coronary artery after valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (valve-in-valve TAVR) increases the risk of coronary obstruction. Although the coronary protection strategy is widely used, the use of the bailout technique after coronary obstruction is limited. Hence, we report a simple bailout technique for coronary obstruction after valve-in-valve TAVR. An 82-year-old woman presented with structural valve deterioration. The left anterior descending coronary artery had 90% stenosis. After TAVR, the prosthetic valve shifted close to the ascending aorta wall, consequently impairing coronary flow. The wire crossed with the Judkins right guiding catheter (JR) reference to the en-face and perpendicular views. Using the guide-extension catheter, the JR contacted the contralateral ascending aorta as a backup catheter. After a balloon was dilated between the prosthetic valve and aorta, JR engaged into the coronary artery with excellent backup. This novel “Whisker pole guiding technique” is useful, even after valve-in-valve TAVR.     

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.     

Percutaneous transapical pseudoaneurysm closure following transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVP) formation is a rare but potentially life‐threatening complication of transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Conventionally, a pseudoaneurysm has been treated surgically; however, improved transcatheter technique and device technology have made a percutaneous closure of LVP an increasingly viable option, especially in a patient unfavorable for surgery. A TAVR candidate is most likely at increased surgical‐risk or inoperable. Therefore a percutaneous closure can be a reasonable strategy for LVP, but its experience following this emerging aortic valve procedure remains limited. We describe a case of LVP formation after TAVR in which it was efficiently treated with a percutaneous closure using a transapical approach via LVP. The first attempt was performed with a transfemoral approach. Pre‐closure angiography revealed an eccentric shape of a LVP neck like a “chicken leg”. This shape caused serious difficulty to cross LVP with a wire and it was not accomplished. However, the LVP location was at the apex and we could access from a chest wall through the pseudoaneurysm in the second attempt. This approach allowed a close and coaxial wire manipulation and the neck of LVP was finally crossed. After that, a closure device was deployed and the second procedure was successfully completed. An approach selection often contributes to a procedural success. This is the first case of a percutaneous LVP closure following TAVR using a transapical access and may suggest this approach as a possible option for this catheter closure in TAVR candidates. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Perceval sutureless valve migration treated by valve‐in‐valve with a CoreValve Evolut Pro

In the last years, the use of sutureless devices in frail patients with severe aortic stenosis has increased thanks to their “easier and faster” technique of implantation in comparison to conventional surgery. Results from metanalysis show comparable outcomes in comparison to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in terms of mortality, stroke incidence, and rate of pace‐maker implantation. The incidence of para‐valvular leak (PVL) is even lower for sutureless devices than for TAVR. The few cases described are generally due to incomplete decalcification or incorrect valve sizing and consequent stent distortion. To our knowledge this is the first case describing PVL with massive aortic regurgitation due to early partial embolization of a Perceval valve and its successfully treatment with valve‐in‐valve by using a self‐expanding TAVR device.     

Complications after Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with a Balloon‐Expandable Prosthesis: The Importance of Preventative Measures and Contingency Planning

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with balloon‐expandable Edwards‐SAPIEN valve was superior to standard therapy in inoperable patients and noninferior to surgical aortic valve replacement in high surgical‐risk, but operable patients, with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in the randomized controlled PARTNER trial. Since the first case of TAVR with a balloon‐expandable valve in 2002, several groups have reported their experience with balloon‐expandable valves with high‐procedural success. In the United States, the balloon‐expandable Edwards‐SAPIEN valve is the only transcatheter heart valve approved by the FDA for commercial use. Moreover, this is only in high‐risk inoperable patients. Despite increasing experience with the TAVR procedure, it can be associated with complications, which can be technically challenging, even for an experienced operator. Complications associated with TAVR include vascular complications, valve malpositioning, regurgitation, embolization, coronary compromise, conduction abnormalities, stroke/transient ischemic attack, acute kidney injury, cardiac tamponade, and hemodynamic collapse. A thorough understanding of the procedure is essential for pre‐emptive planning for procedural complications and early identification and management of complications are necessary for procedural success. We hereby review our experience of transfemoral TAVR with balloon‐expandable valves, offer practical tips to maximize the likelihood of procedural success, describe pre‐emptive strategies to prevent peri‐procedural complications and bailout measures to manage them, should they occur. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cerebral Protection against Left Ventricular Thrombus during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient with Critical Aortic Stenosis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an increasingly common treatment of critical aortic stenosis. Many aortic stenosis patients have concomitant left ventricular dysfunction, which can instigate the formation of thrombus resistant to anticoagulation. Recent trials evaluating transcatheter aortic valve replacement have excluded patients with left ventricular thrombus. We present a case in which an 86-year-old man with known left ventricular thrombus underwent successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement under cerebral protection.Key words: Aortic valve stenosis/therapy, cerebral infarction/etiology, embolic protection devices, heart valve prosthesis implantation, intracranial embolism/prevention & control, stroke/etiology, thrombus, left ventricularTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has given hope to patients with surgically inoperable critical aortic stenosis.^1,2 However, the enthusiasm generated by this emerging technology has been tempered by the incidence of both silent and clinically apparent cerebral vascular accidents.^2–4 These events can be either atheroembolic (originating from manipulation of the TAVR sheath in a diseased ascending aorta) or thromboembolic (originating from intracardiac chambers or from the aortic valve itself). The presence of left ventricular (LV) thrombus has been shown to be responsible for up to 20% of cardioembolic events in a clinical setting.^5,6 According to professional societies, LV thrombus is a contraindication for TAVR; and such thrombus has been an exclusion criterion in clinical trials.^7–9 However, a minority of aortic stenosis patients in need of transcatheter valve therapy present with intraventricular thrombus that does not respond to anticoagulation and therefore poses a challenge to the clinician. Evidence to support the optimal treatment of these patients is lacking. We present a case of TAVR in which we used cerebral protection in treating a surgically inoperable patient who had an LV thrombus.     

Role of Multimodality Imaging in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) has reached an exciting stage with the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). It is the treatment of choice in patients with severe AS who are considered very high risk for surgical valve replacement. Multimodality imaging (MMI) plays a crucial role in TAVR patient selection, intra‐procedure guidance, and follow‐up. With the ever‐increasing scope for TAVR, a better understanding of MMI is essential to improve outcomes and prevent complications.     

Valve‐in‐valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement to treat multijet paravalvular regurgitation: A case series and review

Treatment advances for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis including transcatheter and open surgical valve replacement have improved patient survival, length of stay, and speed to recovery. However, paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) is occasionally seen and when moderate or greater in severity is associated with an at least 2‐fold increase in 1 year mortality. While several treatment approaches focused on single‐jet PVR have been described in the literature, few reports describe multijet PVR. Multijet PVR can successfully be treated with a variety of catheter‐based options including valve‐in‐valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We present two patients with at least moderate PVR following aortic valve replacement who were successfully treated with ViV TAVR along with a review of literature highlighting our rationale for utilizing each management approach. Multijet PVR can be treated successfully with ViV TAVR, but additional options such as self‐expanding occluder devices and bioprosthetic valve fracture have a role as adjunctive treatments to achieve optimal results. The etiology of multijet PVR can differ between patients, this heterogeneity underscores the paucity of data to guide treatment strategies. Therefore, successful treatment of multijet PVR requires familiarity with available therapeutic options to achieve optimal results and, by extension, decrease patient mortality.     

Bioprosthetic aortic valve leaflet disruption with high energy electrocautery to prevent coronary artery obstruction during valve‐in‐valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is well‐established for the treatment of bioprosthetic aortic valve stenosis (AS) in high surgical risk patients. Coronary artery obstruction from displacement of the bioprosthetic valve leaflets during valve‐in‐valve (VIV) TAVR is a rare, but potentially fatal, complication. Recently, the bioprosthetic aortic scallop intentional laceration to prevent iatrogenic coronary artery obstruction (BASILICA) procedure was developed as a method for disrupting bioprosthetic leaflets in patients undergoing VIV TAVR at high risk for coronary obstruction. This case describes a successful VIV TAVR utilizing a simplified concept of the BASILICA technique in a patient where the full procedure could not be completed.     

Percutaneous closure of acute aorto‐right ventricular fistula following transcatheter bicuspid aortic valve replacement

We report a case of acute aorto‐right ventricular fistula following transcatheter bicuspid aortic valve replacement and subsequent percutaneous closure. The diagnosis and treatment of this rare complication is illustrated through multi‐modality imaging. We hypothesize that the patient's heavily calcified bicuspid aortic valve anatomy led to asymmetric deployment of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) prosthesis, traumatizing the right sinus of Valsalva at the distal edge of the TAVR stent and ultimately fistulized to the right ventricle. The patient acutely decompensated with heart failure five days after TAVR and underwent emergent intervention. The aorto‐right ventricular fistula was closed using an 18‐mm septal occluder device with marked clinical recovery. Transcatheter closure is a viable treatment option for acute aorto‐right ventricular fistula. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Complete heart block following TAVR: blocking the way forward?

• This study demonstrated an increasing rate in complete heart block (CHB) and permanent pacemaker (PPM) after trans‐catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
• The development of CHB was associated with increased in‐hospital mortality, prolonged length of stay and augmented hospitalization cost.
• Pre‐existing RBBB was the strongest independent risk factor for subsequent development of CHB after TAVR.

     

Periaortic hematoma after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Description of a new complication

We report a case series of three patients with periaortic hematomas following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The TAVRs were performed by either trans‐apical or transfemoral approach. An intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was performed in all patients. Clinical features of all three cases included advanced age, female gender, and small body weight. In addition, the following characteristics were present in all cases: presence of bulky calcification of the noncoronary cusp (NCC) of the aortic valve, mismatch between the annulus and device diameter, and severe intraprocedural hypertension immediately following TAVR. These characteristics may be potential causative factors. Early recognition of this complication by intra‐procedural TEE was integral to the initiation of rapid and appropriate therapy, resulting in a favorable outcome. Herein, we present possible theories for the occurrence of this rare complication. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Combined surgical and catheter‐based treatment of extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm and aortic valve stenosis

An extensive thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a potentially life‐threatening condition and remains a technical challenge to surgeons. Over the past decade, repair of aortic arch aneurysms has been accomplished using both hybrid (open and endovascular) and totally endovascular techniques. Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has changed and extended management options in thoracic aorta disease, including in those patients deemed unfit or unsuitable for open surgery. Accordingly, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used to treat patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who are considered at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. In this report, we describe the combined surgical and catheter‐based treatment of an extensive TAA and AS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hybrid TAA repair combined with TAVR. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Assessment of trans‐aortic pressure gradient using a coronary pressure wire in patients with mechanical aortic and mitral valve prostheses

Accurate evaluation of trans‐aortic valvular pressure gradients is challenging in cases where dual mechanical aortic and mitral valve prostheses are present. Non‐invasive Doppler echocardiographic imaging has its limitations due to multiple geometric assumptions. Invasive measurement of trans‐valvular gradients with cardiac catheterization can provide further information in patients with two mechanical valves, where simultaneous pressure measurements in the left ventricle and ascending aorta must be obtained. Obtaining access to the left ventricle via the mitral valve after a trans‐septal puncture is not feasible in the case of a concomitant mechanical mitral valve, whereas left ventricular apical puncture technique is associated with high procedural risks. Retrograde crossing of a bileaflet mechanical aortic prosthesis with standard catheters is associated with the risk of catheter entrapment and acute valvular regurgitation. In these cases, the assessment of trans‐valvular gradients using a 0.014? diameter coronary pressure wire technique has been described in a few case reports. We present the case of a 76‐year‐old female with rheumatic valvular heart disease who underwent mechanical aortic and mitral valve replacement in the past. She presented with decompensated heart failure and echocardiographic findings suggestive of elevated pressure gradient across the mechanical aortic valve prosthesis. The use of a high‐fidelity 0.014? diameter coronary pressure guidewire resulted in the detection of a normal trans‐valvular pressure gradient across the mechanical aortic valve. This avoided a high‐risk third redo valve surgery in our patient. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

With the back against the wall: TAVI in a patient with endocarditis

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is currently a well‐established therapeutic option in patients with severe aortic stenosis considered at prohibitive risk for open heart aortic valve replacement (Cribier et al., Circulation 2002;106:3006‐3008; Leon et al., Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006;18:165‐174). We report a case of a patient with endocarditis by severe homograft aortic stenosis for which a TAVI procedure was performed with an excellent result. The patient was undergoing a presurgery standard screening in preparation for a planned aortic valve replacement operation when he developed a Staphyloccocus aureus sepsis. Transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated an aortic valve vegetation. A few days later, the patient developed a stroke probably due to embolization of a vegetation. Given the clinical severity of the case a standard open heart aortic valve replacement was considered too risky and the patient underwent a TAVI procedure. Postintervention the patient had a spectacular evolution with fast normalization of the septic shock parameters and clinical status. Antibiotics were continued for a total of nine weeks. By the ambulatory controls at three weeks, two months and six months postdischarge, the patient was completely asymptomatic and his echocardiography showed a normally functioning aortic valve without indications of endocarditis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Changes in myocardial deformation after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as a novel angle‐independent modality in assessing myocardial velocity, deformation, and strain. Its role in assessing change before and after aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) has recently generated interest. This review summarizes the practical utility and clinical implications of myocardial deformation by STE after surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Overall, atrial strain and ventricular strain as measured by STE improve after surgical and transcatheter aortic intervention in short‐ and long‐term follow‐up with evidence of a more pronounced acute improvement in patients who undergo TAVR. STE assessment of strain, particularly global longitudinal strain, can detect subtle changes in myocardial systolic function prior to conventional variables such as left ventricular ejection fraction and is clinically useful in predicting mortality and symptom development in patients with AS. This underscores the emerging role of STE in monitoring post‐procedural improvements in cardiac function as well as the potential value in guiding optimal timing of AS intervention.     

Emergent use of retrograde left ventricular support in patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently a therapeutic alternative to open aortic valve replacement for high‐risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The procedure is associated with some life‐threatening complications including circulatory collapse which may require temporary hemodynamic support. We describe our experience with the use of the Impella 2.5 system to provide emergent left ventricular support in cases of hemodynamic collapse after TAVR with the Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.