Fluid-Solid Interaction Analysis for Developing In-Situ Strain and Flow Sensors for Prosthetic Valve Monitoring.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was initially developed for adult patients, but there is a growing interest to expand this procedure to younger individuals with longer life expectancies. However, the gradual degradation of biological valve leaflets in transcatheter heart valves (THV) presents significant challenges for this extension. This study aimed to establish a multiphysics computational framework to analyze structural and flow measurements of TAVI and evaluate the integration of optical fiber and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for monitoring valve function. A two-way fluid-solid interaction (FSI) analysis was performed on an idealized aortic vessel before and after the virtual deployment of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3) THV. Subsequently, an analytical analysis was conducted to estimate the PPG signal using computational flow predictions and to analyze the effect of different pressure gradients and distances between PPG sensors. Circumferential strain estimates from the embedded optical fiber in the FSI model were highest in the sinus of Valsalva; however, the optimal fiber positioning was found to be distal to the sino-tubular junction to minimize bending effects. The findings also demonstrated that positioning PPG sensors both upstream and downstream of the bioprosthesis can be used to effectively assess the pressure gradient across the valve. We concluded that computational modeling allows sensor design to quantify vessel wall strain and pressure gradients across valve leaflets, with the ultimate goal of developing low-cost monitoring systems for detecting valve deterioration.

Mid-term outcomes and hemodynamic performance of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis: Insights from the bicuSpid TAvi duraBILITY (STABILITY) registry.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on transcatheter heart valves (THVs) durability in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis. AIMS: To evaluate evaluating 4-year clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of patients with BAV undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: The bicuSpid TAvi duraBILITY (STABILITY) registry is an Italian multicentre registry including all consecutive patients with BAV and severe aortic stenosis (AS), treated by means of TAVI between January 2011 and December 2017. Outcomes of interest were all-cause death at 4-year, over time changes in echocardiographic measurements, and THV durability according to the valve aortic research consortium (VARC)-3 update definitions. RESULTS: Study population included 109 patients (50% females; mean age 78 ± 7.5 years) with a mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score of 5.1 ± 4.3%. Median follow-up (FU) duration was 4.1 years [interquartile range: 2.8-5.1]. The overall cumulative incidence of all-cause death by Kaplan-Meier estimates at 4 years was 32%. Compared to baseline, a significant decrease in transprosthetic mean gradient was obtained after TAVI (54 ± 16 vs. 10 ± 5 mmHg; p < 0.001), whereas a significant increase was observed at 4-year (13 ± 6.4 mmHg, p = 0.03). Cumulative incidence of hemodynamic valve dysfunction (HVD) was 4%. Six patients met HVD criteria: three moderate and three severe HVD. All three cases of severe HVD were clinically relevant (bioprosthetic valve failure [BVF]) with two patients receiving a reintervention (TAVI in TAVI), and one patient experiencing a valve-related death due to endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: The STABILITY registry suggests that in patients with severe AS and BAV undergoing TAVI, postprocedural clinical benefits might last, over time, up to 4-year FU. The low rates of severe HVD and BVF may support the hypothesis of good THV durability also in BAV recipient.

Comparing functional and quality of life outcomes in transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To compare functional and health related quality of life outcomes post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with critical aortic stenosis (AS) across low to high-risk surgical candidates. These patient-centred factors will be compared between both groups in the short to medium term time frames and will aid in shared decision making between patients and healthcare workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials which compared TAVI with SAVR and reported on quality of life (QoL) and functional scores. The scores used were the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), Euroqol-5DL (EQ5DL), the short form-36/12 (SF-36/12) and the NYHA. RESULTS: We identified eight trials with a total of 8898 participants. Both groups showed improvements from baseline at one month. At one month there was a statistically significant difference in standardised mean difference (SMD) in favour of TAVI for EQ5DL (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.26,0.49), KCCQ (SMD 0.53,95% CI 0.48, 0.58), SF physical summary (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.31 - 0.78) and SF mental summary (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.27 - 0.40). At one year there was no statistically significant difference between any of these QoL metrics. For NYHA, no significant difference in odds ratio of class III/IV was observed at one month between TAVI and SAVR (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83, 1.07), however, TAVI was associated with reduced odds ratio of NYHA class I/II at one year (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78, 0.98). CONCLUSION: Both groups were associated with improvements in QoL and functional outcomes with TAVI reporting more significant improvements in QoL at one-month post-procedures. No significant improvements between groups were seen at one year. This is the largest meta-analysis comparing post-operative health-related quality of life outcomes post SAVR and TAVI and has major implications in shared decision making for the treatment of aortic stenosis.

The temptation of anticoagulant therapy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

The choice of the best antithrombotic strategy after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) must be based on the careful balance between the ischaemic risk and the bleeding risk and on the evaluation of some concomitant conditions, such as atrial fibrillation or coronary artery disease which may lead to the choice of anticoagulant treatment or antiplatelet therapy. Another element to consider is the possibility, albeit remote in post-TAVI patients, of thrombosis of the valve leaflets, an event whose clinical impact has yet to be fully clarified and which however appears to present a lower incidence in patients treated with anticoagulants. Recent evidence has shown that in patients who do not require anticoagulant therapy, single therapy with aspirin represents the best treatment compared to dual antiplatelet or to the addition of anticoagulant which in post-TAVI patients should be reserved only for those with a clear indication such as atrial fibrillation. It is still much debated whether in this case the choice should fall on vitamin K antagonists or on the new direct-acting anticoagulants, as the comparison studies have produced inconclusive results.

30-Day Outcomes With the Portico Transcatheter Heart Valve: Insights From a Multi-Centre Australian Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established therapy for the treatment of aortic valve disease in appropriately selected patients. Previous studies using the self-expanding Portico transcatheter heart valve (THV), (Abbott Structural Heart, St Paul, MN, USA) have demonstrated the technical feasibility of this system albeit in the hands of relatively inexperienced Portico users. The objective of this study was to assess the real-world safety and efficacy of the Portico THV (with and without the FlexNav delivery system, Abbott Structural Heart) at the 30-day timepoint in an Australian cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a retrospective real-world cohort analysis of 269 consecutive patients with severe aortic valve disease who underwent TAVI at multiple centres within Australia between February 2015 and April 2021. Of the 269 patients, 51.7% were female, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 5.2 (±6.8) and 98.5% had successful implantations. Thirty (30)-day post-implantation all-cause mortality was observed in one (0.4%) patient, major vascular complications in two (0.7%) patients, more-than-mild paravalvular leak in six (2.2%) patients and requirement for new permanent pacemaker implantation in 27 (10.2%) patients. Haemodynamic parameters at 30 days included mean effective orifice area (EOA) of 2.3 (±0.9) cm2 and mean aortic valve gradient (AVG) of 9.6 (±6.2) mmHg. CONCLUSION: This analysis of the Portico THV in a real-world setting suggested that the system is associated with satisfactory safety and efficacy parameters. Previously published datasets may not have found similar findings owing to lower operator experience with the Portico THV system.

Development and validation of a prediction model for early mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) based on the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR): The TAVI-NHR risk model.

BACKGROUND: The currently available mortality prediction models (MPM) have suboptimal performance when predicting early mortality (30-days) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on various external populations. We developed and validated a new TAVI-MPM based on a large number of predictors with recent data from a national heart registry. METHODS: We included all TAVI-patients treated in the Netherlands between 2013 and 2018, from the Netherlands Heart Registration. We used logistic-regression analysis based on the Akaike Information Criterion for variable selection. We multiply imputed missing values, but excluded variables with >30% missing values. For internal validation, we used ten-fold cross-validation. For temporal (prospective) validation, we used the 2018-data set for testing. We assessed discrimination by the c-statistic, predicted probability accuracy by the Brier score, and calibration by calibration graphs, and calibration-intercept and calibration slope. We compared our new model to the updated ACC-TAVI and IRRMA MPMs on our population. RESULTS: We included 9144 TAVI-patients. The observed early mortality was 4.0%. The final MPM had 10 variables, including: critical-preoperative state, procedure-acuteness, body surface area, serum creatinine, and diabetes-mellitus status. The median c-statistic was 0.69 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.646-0.75). The median Brier score was 0.038 (IQR 0.038-0.040). No signs of miscalibration were observed. The c-statistic's temporal-validation was 0.71 (95% confidence intervals 0.64-0.78). Our model outperformed the updated currently available MPMs ACC-TAVI and IRRMA (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new TAVI-model used additional variables and showed fair discrimination and good calibration. It outperformed the updated currently available TAVI-models on our population. The model's good calibration benefits preprocedural risk-assessment and patient counseling.

Delirium as late manifestation of infective endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

More than one-third of the cases of infective endocarditis (IE) occur in older patients. The disease is often characterized by atypical symptoms. The incidence of neurological complications is high and represents a strong independent predictor of severe outcomes and mortality. IE is a rare but serious complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A persistent delirium as a unique manifestation of post-TAVI IE in an older patient is presented in this clinical case.

Transcaval transcatheter aortic valve implantation in bicuspid aortic valve: A step-by-step procedural guidance.

We report the case of a 78-year-old female with Sapien 3 transcatheter heart valve implantation in the transcaval approach. In this setting, we describe the step-by-step management and technique of the transcaval transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Emergency bailout surgery saves lives in high-risk patients with complications after TAVR.

INTRODUCTION: With the expansion of the indication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR), the value of access to on-site emergency heart surgery at performing centers needs to be assessed. AIMS: To evaluate postoperative mortality after surgical rescue post-TAVR, in a population at high surgical risk. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients included in the France-TAVI registry who had undergone TAVR with the latest generation valves between January 2017 and February 2020. RESULTS: Among the 968 patients undergoing TAVR, 6 patients (0.62%) were identified as candidates for surgery: 3 in the peri-operative context and 3 during hospitalization. Four subjects were managed in a salvage situation, two due to tamponade, one due to aortic dissection, and one due to aortic annulus rupture. One patient died of a delayed aortic annulus rupture and one patient presented a right coronary occlusion which was medically treated. All patients who underwent emergency surgery were discharged alive from the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: In TAVR patients initially contraindicated for surgery, emergency bailout surgery could be performed successfully with all patients discharged alive. Access to on-site heart surgery represents a life-saving resource for TAVR centers.

Combination Use of Inoue-Balloon and Self-Expandable Transcatheter Valves in Managing Aortic Stenosis Not Amenable to Balloon-Expandable Valves.

Data on the combined use of aortic Inoue-Balloon catheter and self-expandable transcatheter valve for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are lacking. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of this combination, particularly in patients who cannot be safely managed with balloon-expandable valves.Between 2018 and 2021, 140 consecutive patients who had Inoue-Balloon catheters with self-expandable valves were retrospectively examined. Self-expandable transcatheter valves were deployed using the heart team approach in patients with calcification on the left ventricular outflow tract, which could not be safely addressed with the current-generation balloon-expandable valves.The 20- and 22 mm Inoue-Balloon catheters were used with the 26- and 29 mm Evolut valves, respectively. According to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria, the procedural success rate was 95.0%, with an early safety at 30 days rate of 6.5%. A total of 27 patients required post-dilation with the same Inoue-Balloon catheter used for pre-dilation after adjustment to appropriate sizes. Post-dilation, with balloon size adjusted to be 1.4 ± 0.9 mm larger than that in pre-dilation, was effective in 19 out of 27 patients (70.3%) for decreasing paravalvular leak after transcatheter valve deployment. The procedural complication rates between patients with and without post-dilation were not different.The combined use of the size-adjustable Inoue-Balloon catheter and self-expandable valve is safe, particularly in patients who cannot be safely managed with balloon-expandable valves. However, further studies are warranted to elucidate concerns regarding the durability of self-expandable transcatheter valves after post-dilation using the Inoue-Balloon catheter.

Regression of Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The changes in electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are not fully elucidated.Methods and Results:The study group included 64 patients who underwent TAVI for aortic stenosis. Their 12-lead ECGs before and at 2 days and 1, 6 and 12 months after TAVI were analyzed, and ECG-LVH was evaluated using various definitions. Values and prevalence of each ECG-LVH parameter significantly decreased between 1 and 6 months after TAVI. Values of ECG-LVH parameters decreased especially in patients with ECG-LVH at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Regression of ECG-LVH was observed between 1 and 6 months after TAVI.

Effect of Sex on Mortality and Left Ventricular Remodeling After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The effect of sex on mortality is controversial; furthermore, sex differences in left ventricular (LV) remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remain unknown.Methods and Results:This study included 2,588 patients (1,793 [69.3%] female) enrolled in the Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention (OCEAN)-TAVI Japanese multicenter registry between October 2013 and May 2017. We retrospectively analyzed the effect of sex on mortality, and evaluated changes in the LV mass index (LVMI) after TAVI. Female sex was significantly associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (log-rank P<0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis showed that female sex was independently associated with lower cumulative long-term mortality (hazard ratio 0.615; 95% confidence interval 0.512-0.738; P<0.001). Regression in the LVMI was observed in both sexes, and there was no significant difference in the percentage LVMI regression from baseline to 1 year after TAVI between women and men. Women had a survival advantage compared with men among patients with LVMI regression at 1 year, but not among patients with no LVMI regression. CONCLUSIONS: We found that female sex is associated with better survival outcomes after TAVI in a large Japanese registry. Although LVMI regression was observed in women and men after TAVI, post-procedural LV mass regression may be related to the sex differences in mortality.

Outcomes of transfemoral balloon expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Comparison of two subsequent valve generations.

BACKGROUND: The SAPIEN 3 (S3) addresses several limitations of the SAPIEN XT (SXT) for the performance of transfemoral (TF-) balloon expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether their altered features translate into improved outcomes in a real-world TF-TAVI patient population. METHODS: Data for 3,314 patients were extracted from the European registries SOURCE-XT and SOURCE-3. Patients were propensity-score (PS) matched (n = 1,169/group). RESULTS: In the PS matched comparison, device success was higher in the S3 (99.2%) compared to the SXT group (98.2%; p = .04). S3 patients experienced a lower rate of procedural death (0.7 vs. 2.6%; p = .0004), moderate/severe paravalvular leakage (PVL; 1.4 vs. 5.5%; p < .0001), and procedure-related stroke (1.2 vs. 2.4%; p = .04) while higher rates of mean aortic valve gradients ≥20 mmHg, and new permanent pacemaker implantations were seen. At 30 days a lower rate of all-cause mortality was seen (2.1% vs. 4.3%; p = .003), which was preserved after 1 year (10.7% vs. 14.9%; p = .002). A Cox regression predicting 1-year mortality resulted in a hazard ratio of 0.684 in favor of S3 (p = .0026). The same was true of stroke (2.8% vs. 5.7%; p = .0007), and moderate/severe PVL (2.7 vs. 7.3%; p = .0002) at 1 year. The rate of new pacemaker implantations (13.6% vs. 9.5%; p = .001) and NYHA III/IV (12.8 vs. 8.6%; p = .004) was higher with the S3. CONCLUSIONS: The improved features of the S3 appear to translate into improved survival and reduced rates of adverse complications, with the exception of a higher rate of new pacemaker implantations.

Cardiac structural changes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular magnetic resonance studies.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) provides reliable and reproducible estimates for assessment of cardiac structure and function after TAVR. The goal of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to assess left ventricular (LV) volumes, mass and function by CMR after TAVR. METHODS: Using Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines, we searched PubMed and Embase for studies reporting CMR findings before and at least 1 month after TAVR. Main factors of interest were LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi), LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVi), LV mass index (LVMi), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled by random effects meta-analytic techniques. RESULTS: Of 453 screened publications, 10 studies (published between 2012 and 2018) were included. A total of 305 patients completed pre- and post-TAVR follow-up CMR (mean age range 78.6-85.0 years, follow-up range 6-15 months). Random effects analysis showed TAVR resulted in reduced LVEDVi (SMD: -0.25, 95% CI: - 0.43 to - 0.07, P = 0.006), LVESVi (SMD: -0.24, 95% CI: - 0.44 to - 0.05, P = 0.01), LVMi (SMD: -0.82, 95% CI: - 1.0 to - 0.63, P < 0.001) and increased LVEF (SMD: 22, 95% CI: 6 to 38%, P = 0.006). Heterogeneity across studies was low (I2: 0%, Pheterogeneity > 0.05 for all). The median reduction was 4 ml/m2 (IQR: 3.1 to 8.2) for LVEDVi, 5 ml/m2 (IQR: 3.0 to 6.0) for LVESVi, and 15.1 g/m2 (IQR: 11.8 to 18.3) for LVMi. The median increase for LVEF was 3.4% (IQR 1.0 to 4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: CMR demonstrates reverse LV remodeling occurrs within 6-15 months after TAVR, with reductions in LVEDVi, LVESVi and LVMi, and increased LVEF.

Predictor and Mid-Term Outcome of Clinically Significant Thrombocytopenia After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Selection.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and predictors of thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are unclear.Methods and Results:This study enrolled 342 patients undergoing TAVI (245 with a percutaneous transfemoral approach, 65 with transfemoral surgical cutdown, and 32 with a non-transfemoral approach). Balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves were implanted in 235 and 107 patients, respectively. Platelet counts started to drop immediately, reaching a nadir 2-4 days after TAVI. Clinically significant thrombocytopenia (CSTP) was defined as a platelet count ≤50×109/L at the time of the nadir or both a platelet count between 80 and 51×109/L and a decrease in platelet count ≥50%. CSTP occurred in 16.7% patients. Approach site and TAVI valve selection significantly predicted CSTP. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of CSTP were liver cirrhosis (odds ratio [OR] 7.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-49.82), baseline platelet count ≤120×109/L (OR 2.98; 95% CI 1.20-7.38), multiple blood transfusions (OR 4.03; 95% CI 1.72-9.41), and the use of balloon-expandable valves (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.04-5.46). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with a generalized Wilcoxon test revealed that mid-term (2 years) mortality was greater for patients with than without CSTP (31.4% vs. 15.5%; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: TAVI-related CSTP was not rare and was associated with poor mid-term outcomes. CSTP was not only caused by patients' comorbidities and TAVI complications, but also related to TAVI procedural factors.

Impact of frailty on health-related quality of life 1 year after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) brings symptom relief and improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the majority of patients treated for symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis. However, there is a substantial group of patients that do not benefit from TAVI. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of frailty on HRQoL 1 year after TAVI. METHODS: The TAVI Care & Cure Program is an ongoing, prospective, observational study including patients referred for TAVI to our institution. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed to evaluate existence of frailty using the Erasmus Frailty Score (EFS). HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5 L at baseline and 1 year after TAVI. RESULTS: 239 patients underwent TAVI and completed HRQoL assessment 1 year after TAVI. Seventy (29.3%) patients were classified as frail (EFS ≥ 3). In non-frail patients, the EQ-5D-5 L index did not change (0.71(± 0.22) to 0.68(± 0.33) points, P = 0.22); in frail patients, the EQ-5D-5 L index decreased from 0.55(±0.26) to 0.44 points (±0.33) (P = 0.022). Frailty was an independent predictor of deteriorated HRQoL 1 year after TAVI (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.07-4.70, P = 0.003). In frail patients, the absence of peripheral artery disease (OR 0.17, 95% 0.05-0.50, P = 0.001) and renal dysfunction (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.41, P = <0.001) at baseline was associated with improved HRQoL 1 year after TAVI. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with deterioration of HRQoL 1 year after TAVI. Notably, HRQoL did improve in frail patients with no peripheral arterial disease or renal impairment at baseline.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation and its impact on mitral valve geometry and function.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on mitral valve geometry and function. METHODS: Eighty-four patients underwent TAVI. Forty-four (52%) patients received a balloon-expandable valve and 40 (48%) were implanted with a self-expandable valve. All patients underwent three-dimensional-volumetric transesophageal echocardiography of the mitral valve before and immediately after TAVI. A dedicated software was used for assisted semiautomatic measurement of mitral annular geometry. RESULTS: During systole, the anterior to posterior (AP) diameter was significantly reduced after the procedure (3.4 ± 0.5 cm vs 3.2 ± 0.5 cm; P < .05). The mitral annular area (10.8 ± 2.8cm2 vs 9.9 ± 2.6cm2 ; P < .05) as well as the tenting area (1.6 ± 0.7 cm2 vs 1.2 ± 0.6 cm2 ; P < .001) measured at mid-systole were reduced after TAVI. Diastolic measures were similar. Patients treated with balloon-expandable valves showed a significantly larger reduction in the AP diameter compared to self-expandable valves (-0.25 cm vs -0.11 cm; P < .05). The reduction of the annular area was higher in the balloon-expandable group (-1.2 ± 1.59 vs -0.22 ± 1.41; P < .05). Grade of mitral regurgitation did improve or remained stable after TAVI. CONCLUSION: TAVI significantly impacts the mitral valve and mitral annular geometry and morphology. The choice of the prosthesis (balloon- vs self-expandable) may be relevant for those changes.

Pathology of the Aortic Valve: Aortic Valve Stenosis/Aortic Regurgitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This discussion is intended to review the anatomy and pathology of the aortic valve and aortic root region, and to provide a basis for the understanding of and treatment of the important life-threatening diseases that affect the aortic valve. RECENT FINDINGS: The most exciting recent finding is that less invasive methods are being developed to treat diseases of the aortic valve. There are no medical cures for aortic valve diseases. Until recently, open-heart surgery was the only effective method of treatment. Now percutaneous approaches to implant bioprosthetic valves into failed native or previously implanted bioprosthetic valves are being developed and utilized. A genetic basis for many of the diseases that affect the aortic valve is being discovered that also should lead to innovative approaches to perhaps prevent these disease. Sequencing of ribosomal RNA is assisting in identifying organisms causing endocarditis, leading to more effective antimicrobial therapy. There is exciting, expanding, therapeutic innovation in the treatment of aortic valve disease.

Single-session double valve replacement: TAVI+tricuspid valve-in-valve procedures.

We describe a 70-year-old lady with rheumatic heart disease and a history of the mitral valve and tricuspid valve replacement, who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation and the tricuspid valve-in-valve procedure in a single session.

Transforming the experience of aortic valve disease in older patients: A qualitative study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To explore patients' lived experiences of daily life and coping with recovery after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is increasingly used to treat older patients with severe aortic stenosis with high surgical risk. This novel treatment has been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms, improving survival and prognosis, but its impact on patients' daily life has been sparsely explored. DESIGN: Qualitative design. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted in a purposeful sample of ten patients three-four months after TAVI. A phenomenological hermeneutical approach comprised an epistemological stance and Ricoeur's work inspired the qualitative methodological foundation. The study adhered to the COREQ guidelines. RESULTS: This study is illuminating patients' perception of recovery after TAVI. The patients experienced a transformation of bodily sensations, a changed bodily attention and enhanced physical possibilities to cope with life. Undergoing TAVI changed the pre-treatment symptoms that limited daily activities, allowing the patients to resume or participate in activities that were previously impossible. TAVI gives patients the feeling that they can do more than before, which strengthens their faith in the body's possibilities and means that they can live a more self-reliant and independent life. CONCLUSION: For older patients, TAVI can serve to bolster a sense of trusting their own body again. A clear distinction between pre- and post-TAVI is recognised. Patients may be able to resume everyday activities following TAVI. The recovery process, however, must take into account the individual patient's own resources. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The impact of TAVI on daily life activities should be communicated to the patient in decision-making. Recovery depends on the patient's own effort, why identification of the patients who need support for recovery after TAVI as well as differentiated rehabilitation is required. Walking as a parameter should be integrated in the recovery trajectory.