RESUMO
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is now a commonly used therapy in patients with severe aortic stenosis, even in those patients at low surgical risk. The indications for TAVI have broadened as the therapy has proven to be safe and effective. Most challenges associated with TAVI after its initial introduction have been impressively reduced; however, the possible need for post-TAVI permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) secondary to conduction disturbances continues to be on the radar. Conduction abnormalities post-TAVI are always of concern given that the aortic valve lies in close proximity to critical components of the cardiac conduction system. This review will present a summary of noteworthy pre-and post-procedural conduction blocks, the best use of telemetry and ambulatory device monitoring to avoid unnecessary PPI or to recognize the need for late PPI due to delayed high-grade conduction blocks, predictors to identify those patients at greatest risk of requiring PPI, important CT measurements and considerations to optimize TAVI planning, and the utility of the MInimizing Depth According to the membranous Septum (MIDAS) technique and the cusp-overlap technique. It is stressed that careful membranous septal (MS) length measurement by MDCT during pre-TAVI planning is necessary to establish the optimal implantation depth before the procedure to reduce the risk of compression of the MS and consequent damage to the cardiac conduction system.
RESUMO
Background: The axillary artery is an alternative access route for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) in patients who have unfavourable femoral arteries as well as comorbidities which preclude surgery. Transaxillary TAVI (TAx-TAVI), with a complete non-transfemoral approach, is a feasible and safe alternative even if complications like vascular closure device failure with bleeding occurs. Case summary: We describe here a simplified non-transfemoral TAx-TAVI approach in a 71-year-old patient with pulmonary oedema due to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis with a prohibitively high surgical risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Mortality 11.9%) and extensive peripheral artery disease that rendered the femoral arteries unsuitable for access. Importantly, this strategy also allows for successful management of bleeding events, particularly those associated with vascular closure device failure, by the use of a new covered stent device. The patient was discharged on Day 6 after admission in stable conditions. In short-term follow-up (30 days), he is asymptomatic with normal left-ventricular function. Discussion: The TAx-TAVI is a promising alternative to transfemoral TAVI approach. Patient safety, even during bleeding complications, can be guaranteed with appropriate preparation.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (TMVIV) or valve-in-ring (TMVIR) replacement offer an alternative therapy for high risk patients. We aimed to highlight the operative and postoperative results of TMVIV and TMVIR procedures. RESULTS: We included all patients underwent TMVIV and TMVIR procedures between 2017 and 2020 at two heart centers in Germany. We included a total of 36 high risk patients in our study where 12 received TMVIV and 24 received TMVIR. All patients underwent TMVIV or TMVIR with Edwards Sapien XT or S3 transcatheter valves (Edwards Lifesciences). The mean age was 79 (75-83 years old). The median (IQR) preoperative STS score was 9 (7-13)% and EuroSCORE II was 14.5% (12-16). The majority of our patients were operated via transapical approach (n = 26) and the minority via transseptal approach (n = 10). Out of our records, none of our patients required reopening for bleeding or any other surgical complications. None of our patients required reintervention during the 6 months follow-up period. One mortality was recorded on fifth postoperative day due to low cardiac output syndrome (obviously because of LVOT obstruction by the anterior mitral leaflet). The average blood loss was 200 ml in the first 24 h in patients underwent transapical approach. Average operative time was 93 min and all patients were immediately extubated after the procedure in the operating room (even the patient with echocardiographically documented LVOT obstruction who died on the fifth postoperative day). Length of Intensive Care Unit stay was 2 ± 1.2 days and length of hospital stay was 4.1 ± 1.2 days. In the follow up period, echocardiograms showed normal prosthetic valve function with low transvalvular gradients, no LVOT obstruction in TMVIR cases and no evidence of valve migration or thrombosis (except in one patient). Concerning 6 months readmission, it was recorded in 2 patients due to right sided heart failure symptoms due to preexisting high degree of tricuspid valve regurge which did not disappear or even decrease after the operation and the other patient due to gastrointestinal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: TMVIV and TMVIR offer an efficient, safe and less invasive alternative in high surgical risk patients.
