Rare complication of ventricular septal defect in three patients following transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Adult Ventricular Septal Defect Repair Using a Robotic Totally Endoscopic Approach: A Case Report

The growth and advancement of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in recent years has allowed robotic and totally endoscopic procedures to become safe and effective options for the treatment of patients with various diseases of the heart. However, despite these advances, outcome data for robotic correction of congenital cardiac anomalies are scarce. This is particularly true for robotic ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair with initial experiences only recently having been published by a single group. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female who underwent robotic totally endoscopic VSD repair due to persistent symptoms with resolution of preoperative shunting and severe tricuspid regurgitation following surgery. This unique case adds to the limited data currently available in the literature on robotic VSD repair to show that it is a safe procedure when performed by a dedicated surgical team experienced in minimally invasive robotic cardiac surgery. We feel that, in this setting, the benefits of a robotic surgical approach can be afforded to more patients with excellent results.

Transcatheter closure of left ventricle to right atrial communication using cera duct occluder

Left ventricle—right atrial communication could be congenital (Gerbode defect) or acquired as a complication of surgery or infective endocarditis and leads to volume overloading of pulmonary circulation. Two types, direct and indirect types are known depending on the involvement of septal tricuspid leaflet. Transcatheter closure of this defect is feasible and appears an attractive alternative to surgical management. Various devices like Amplatzer duct occluder I, II, Muscular ventricular septal defect device etc. have been used to close this defect. We report two patients, a preteen boy with direct left ventricle-right atrial communication as post operative complication and an adult female with indirect communication who underwent transcatheter closure with Cera duct occluder (Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen), China).

Injuries to the Aorta, Aortic Annulus, and Left Ventricle During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The experience with transcatheter aortic valve replacement is increasing worldwide; however, the incidence of potentially catastrophic cardiac or aortic complications has not decreased. In most cases, significant injuries to the aorta, aortic valve annulus, and left ventricle require open surgical repair. However, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement patient presents a unique challenge as many patients are at high or prohibitive surgical risk and, therefore, an open surgical procedure may not be feasible or appropriate. Consequently, prevention of these potentially catastrophic injuries is vital, and practitioners need to understand when open surgical repair is required and when alternative management strategies can be used. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of current management and prevention strategies for major complications involving the aorta, aortic valve annulus, and left ventricle.

Acquired Aseptic Intracardiac Shunts Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, mechanisms, features, and management of aseptic intracardiac shunts (AICS).

BACKGROUND

AICS following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are an uncommon and barely described complication.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed of all published cases of AICS following TAVR, and the incidence, predictors, main features, management, and related outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 31 post-TAVR AICS were gathered. After excluding transapical fistulas, the 28 remaining cases corresponded with an incidence of about 0.5%. Mean age and mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score were 80 ± 11 years and 19.2 ± 8.3%, respectively. Prior radiation therapy for cancer was present in 14.3%, and 42.8% had severe calcification of the aortic valve. TAVR was undertaken using balloon-expandable prostheses in the majority of cases (85.7%), via the transapical approach in one-third. Median time from TAVR to diagnosis was 21 days (interquartile range: 7 to 30 days), with intraprocedural suspicion in 12 cases (42.9%) and a mean Q_p/Q_s ratio of 1.8 ± 0.6. The most common location for AICS was the interventricular septum (60.7%). Heart failure was frequent (46.4%), but 14 patients (50%) remained asymptomatic. Medical treatment (71.4%) was associated with poor outcomes (30-day mortality rate 25%), especially in symptomatic patients (35% vs. 0%; p = 0.020) and in those with higher Q_p/Q_s ratios (1.9 ± 0.6 vs. 1.4 ± 0.1), while cardiac surgery (3.6%), and percutaneous closure (25%) led to good outcomes after a median follow-up period of 3 months (interquartile range: 1 to 9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-TAVR AICS are uncommon but have high 30-day mortality if left untreated, especially in symptomatic patients. Percutaneous closure was feasible and safe in symptomatic patients but remains controversial in asymptomatic subjects.

Posttranscatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Ventricular Septal Defect During Transfemoral Edwards SAPIEN Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is gaining favor as a treatment for aortic stenosis in patients at high risk for the open surgical approach. The following is a report of a 95-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis who presented for TAVR with an Edwards SAPIEN valve. Her medical history included pacemaker-dependent complete heart block and a recent episode of congestive heart failure secondary to a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. The TAVR was performed successfully through an open left femoral artery approach, and the patient was found to have a new perimembranous ventricular septal defect identified postoperatively.

Echocardiographic imaging of procedural complications during balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using a balloon-expandable valve is an accepted alternative to surgical replacement for severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis in high risk or inoperable patients. Intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) offers real-time imaging guidance throughout the procedure and allows for rapid and accurate assessment of complications and procedural results. The value of intraprocedural TEE for TAVR will likely increase in the future as this procedure is performed in lower surgical risk patients, who also have lower risk for general anesthesia, but a greater expectation of optimal results with lower morbidity and mortality. This imaging compendium from the PARTNER (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) trials is intended to be a comprehensive compilation of intraprocedural complications imaged by intraprocedural TEE and diagnostic tools to anticipate and/or prevent their occurrence.