Lambl's excrescence in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: prevalence and risk of embolic events.

BACKGROUND: The role of aortic valve Lambl's excrescence (LEs) in determining ischemic events has not been well clarified, but they can represent a potential embolic source during procedures with catheter/device manipulation through the aortic valve. Aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of LEs and the rate of embolism in patients with aortic valve stenosis scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: Our population was divided into two groups, named LEs and no-LEs. In each group, the rate of cerebral embolic events was assessed, as well as other TAVI-related complications. RESULTS: In our study population 28 patients (37%) had aortic strands and 48 (63%) did not have them. A cerebral protection device was used in four patients of LEs group (14% vs. 0, P=0.03). The mean procedural time was similar in the two groups: 50±19 and 55±26 minutes (P=0.38) in LEs and no-LEs groups, respectively. The device success was achieved in 96% of LEs and 88% of no-LEs patients (P=0.37). Two patients of no-LEs group died during the procedure. Major complications were observed in both groups without any significant differences. Only one case of stroke occurred in the population without LEs (0 LEs vs. 2% no-LEs, 0.78). No cases of peripheral embolism were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In our population the observation of LEs is not uncommon. Despite the presumed high risk of embolism, we have not observed an increase in the rate of cerebral ischemic events or other TAVI related complications in patients with LEs.

Carotid Doppler sonography: additional tool to assess hemodynamic improvement after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess the arterial cerebral blood flow variations in patients with aortic valve stenosis, immediately after the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: The study population includes 62 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI for aortic valve stenosis (95%) and sugical bioprosthesis degeneration (5%). Carotid Doppler examination was performed recording blood flow, systolic peak velocity, time average mean velocity and mean acceleration time at baseline, after balloon aortic valvuloplasty, and within 10 min after the device release. RESULTS: A significant improvement of blood flow was recorded at the end of the procedure (from 315.05 ±â€Š141.72 to 538.67 ±â€Š277.46 ml/min; P < 0.00001). The systolic peak velocity and the time average mean velocity increased from 52.27 ±â€Š14.29 to 78.89 ±â€Š20.48 cm/s (P < 0.00001) and from 12.24 ±â€Š4.74 to 21.21 ±â€Š9 cm/s (P < 0.00001), respectively. Consensually, the mean acceleration time decreased from 0.22 ±â€Š0.02 to 0.03 ±â€Š0.02 s (P < 0.00001) after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Monitoring of Doppler measurements may be a useful and noninvasive method to assess acutely the improvement of hemodynamic flow after TAVI, specifically for the cerebral district.

Clinical results with the 31 mm CoreValveª in large aortic annuli: the importance of implantation technique.

AIMS: The CoreValve Revalving System (CRS) (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) is currently available in four sizes: 23 mm, 26 mm, 29 mm and 31 mm. Aim of our study was to assess the acute clinical results after implantation of a 31 mm CRS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed device safety, procedural success and 30-day outcomes of 76 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) from January 2012 to September 2013, for severe aortic valve disease. The device sizes used were 26 mm in 21 (28%), 29 mm in 20 (26%) and 31 mm in 35 (46%) patients. Patients who received the 31 mm CRS were significantly younger, predominantly male, with higher STS scores and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Device success was obtained in 70 cases (92%) in the overall population, without significant differences among groups. Procedural, fluoroscopy and revalving time and procedural outcomes did not differ. A significant reduction in transaortic gradient was obtained in all groups. We observed a low incidence of paraprosthetic leak in the 31 mm group. Permanent pacemaker implantation, bleeding, vascular and renal complications were similar among groups. Time of hospitalisation in CRS 31 mm patients did not differ from the other groups and 30-day outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The 31 mm CRS can be safely implanted in patients with complex aortic valve disease, large annuli and dilated left ventricles.