With the expanding indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) guidelines, combined valvular disease is often encountered in the clinic, and existing relevant studies have shown that preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation is associated with higher mortality. In these patients, the optimal treatment strategy for TAVR with evidence-based heart failure, TAVR with transcatheter mitral intervention, or staging transcatheter therapy are unclear. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the anatomy and function of the aortic and mitral valves, as well as an in-depth assessment of the patient’s baseline risk profile, are the basis for an individualized approach to treatment. This article will review the results of the relevant research to better help clinicians diagnose and treat relevant patients.
This paper reports a case of severe stenosis and calcification of functional bicuspid aortic valve treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Before the operation, echocardiography and multi-detector computed tomography were used to evaluate the ascending aorta, coronary artery, iliac artery anatomy, valve morphology, and valve calcification. During the operation, femoral artery perforation occurred after suturing the puncture site. The treatment of compression and hemostasis with peripheral balloon was performed. After the operation, neuropsychiatric symptoms appeared. The result of brain MRI indicated multiple acute cerebral infarction. Anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and neurotrophic drugs were used. After 1-year follow-up, echocardiography showed a little reflux signal around the artificial aortic valve, and the patient’s nervous system examination showed no obvious abnormality. TAVR indications will continue to expand in the near future with the innovation of evaluation, devices, and technology. The summary of operation data can promote progress of TAVR and reduce the occurrence of complications.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has entered a new and critical stage after nearly 20 years of rapid development in China. There are various types of TAVR valves with different advantages. TAVR can be performed through various approaches such as transfemoral artery, transapical, trans-carotid artery, or trans-ascending aorta. The first two are more common. Echocardiography plays an important role in the perioperative period of TAVR. Compared to transfemoral approach, transapical TAVR has different key points in perioperative echocardiography which is lack of unified and accurate standards. This standard is specially formulated to focus on the key points of echocardiography in preoperative screening, intraoperative monitoring and postoperative follow-up in order to promote the safe and effective application of transapical TAVR in the clinic.
ObjectiveTo investigate the new-onset conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and summarize the relevant experience. Methods The perioperative data of TAVR patients in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to February 2023 were collected, and the new-onset incidence of conduction block after TAVR was analyzed retrospectively. Results Finally 352 patients were included, including 225 males and 127 females, with an average age of (67.2±5.1) years, among whom 256 patients were treated with Venus-A valves, 69 patients with Vita-Flow valves, and 27 patients with J-Valve valves. There were 38 (10.8%) patients of new-onset postoperative block. There were 6 (1.7%) patients of new-onset postoperative grade Ⅲ atrioventricular block, including 5 (2.0%) patients of Venus-A and 1 (1.4%) patient of Vita-Flow. Conduction function was restored in 2 patients within 14 days after surgery, and failed to be restored in 4 patients, who then received permanent pacemaker implantation in the Department of Cardiology. There were 27 (7.7%) patients of new left bundle branch block after surgery, including 22 (8.6%) patients of Venus-A, 4 (5.8%) patients of Vita-Flow and 1 (3.7%) patient of J-Valve; and conduction function was restored within 7 days after surgery in 23 patients, and 5 (1.4%) patients developed new right bundle branch blocks after surgery including 4 (1.5%) patients of Venus-A and 1 (1.4%) patient of Vita-Flow. Conclusion New-onset conduction block is a common complication after TAVR, and the new-onset rate of left bundle branch block is the highest, followed by the grade Ⅲ atrioventricular block. Mastering reasonable methods and applying appropriate strategies can effectively reduce the new-onset rate of postoperative conduction block and improve the overall success rate of TAVR surgery.
Objective To compare the clinical and hemodynamic results of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with different vascular approaches. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the baseline status, procedure status, procedure-related clinical complications defined by Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 consensus document, and postoperative hemodynamic results of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR between April 2012 and January 2019 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Results A total of 436 patients were enrolled, including 58 patients undergoing surgical cutdown and 378 patients undergoing percutaneous puncture. The prevalence of tumor in the surgical cutdown group was higher than that in the percutaneous puncture group (8.62% vs. 2.65%, P=0.037), while the other baseline characteristics, including age, male proportion, body mass index, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores, were similar between the two groups (P>0.05); the proportion of patients with aortic regurgitation equal to or greater than a moderate degree in the surgical cutdown group was lower than that in the percutaneous puncture group (22.41% vs. 35.98%, P=0.043), and there was no statistically significant difference in other preoperative cardiac ultrasound-related indicators (P>0.05). The procedure success rate was high in both groups (96.55% vs. 98.68%, P=0.236). Immediately after operation, the incidences of new-onset left bundle branch block (43.10% vs. 24.87%, P=0.004), severe bleeding (12.07% vs. 4.23%, P=0.030), and mild bleeding (20.69% vs. 3.44%, P<0.001) were higher in the surgical cutdown group than those in the percutaneous puncture group, and the postoperative hemodynamics indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in maximum blood flow velocity between the two groups [(2.37±0.52) vs. (2.50±1.67) m/s, P=0.274]. At the 1 year follow-up, the cardiac death rate (5.17% vs. 3.17%, P=0.696) and all-causes mortality rate (8.62% vs. 8.47%, P=1.000) between the two groups were not statistically different.Conclusions Compared with percutaneous puncture, surgical cutdown is associated with a higher incidence of bleeding events, while the incidence of other clinical complications such as vascular complications and the postoperative hemodynamic outcomes were similar.
Patients with severe aortic stenosis will gradually develop symptoms of heart failure. Aortic valve replacement is an effective treatment at present, while transcatheter aortic valve replacement is suitable for high-risk elderly patients. This article reports a patient with severe aortic valve stenosis and severe scoliosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Detailed preoperative evaluation and avoidance of peripheral vascular injury were the characteristics of this case. The patient was an elderly male with severe scoliosis. After fully evaluating the risks and benefits of surgery, a surgical strategy was formulated. The patient was in the supine position to complete the preoperative CT, and then the long sheath was used to pass through the thoracoabdominal aortic angle during the operation. After angiography-assisted adjustment and determination of the optimal release angle, the valve was accurately released, and the operation went smoothly without serious peripheral vascular damage.
This paper discusses a female patient with severe aortic stenosis, who was preoperatively assessed to be at high risk of left coronary artery occlusion, but developed complete occlusion of the right coronary artery during the procedure of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, leading to hemodynamic disorder. Surgical treatment under emergency cardiopulmonary bypass played a critical role in rescuing the patient.
An 89 years old male patient was admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital due to chest tightness and shortness of breath for half a month. Severe aortic valve stenosis was found in post admission assessment. We proposed to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery. Preoperative evaluation showed severe distortion of the descending aorta. We used the double guide wire technique and a 14F long sheath to assist the stepwise balloon expansion, and successfully completed the valve implantation. For patients with severe tortuous aorta, how to successfully complete transcatheter aortic valve replacement, this case may provide some reference.
In recent years, heart valve disease has been increasing year by year. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the first-line surgical method for patients with severe aortic stenosis due to the advantages of small surgical trauma and rapid postoperative recovery. In the context of the rapid development of TAVR, the postoperative complications of TAVR seriously affect the surgical success rate and patient prognosis. Therefore, the prevention and nursing of complications after TAVR are particularly important. This article will review the assessment, prevention and care of the complications such as arrhythmia, vascular complications, perivalvular leakage, stroke, and acute renal failure after TAVR in combination with the current situation at home and abroad, in order to enhance the clinical medical workers’ understanding of the complications.
Before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), echocardiography is the first choice for preoperative screening of suitable patients, which can be used to observe the morphology of aortic valve, determine the cause of aortic stenosis, and evaluate the severity of aortic stenosis and other cardiac structure and function. During TAVR procedure, echocardiography is mainly used for real-time monitoring of complications and immediate postoperative evaluation. After TAVR, echocardiography can be used to evaluate the shape and function of the prosthesis valve and monitor long-term complications. This article reviews the research progress of echocardiography in TAVR for guiding clinical practice.