Outcome of intravenous rt-PA therapy for a stroke patient during the short-term period after TAVI

Cerebrovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Review

Cerebrovascular events (CVEs) are a dreaded complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). They are associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and reduced quality of life and impose a significant burden to health care systems. Although the rates of clinical stroke have reduced since the advent of TAVR, it remains an important complication, particularly as TAVR is increasingly utilized. CVE may occur at the time of the TAVR, as a direct consequence of the procedure, or may occur later, related to thrombosis of the prosthetic valve, atrial fibrillation, and other comorbidities. Imaging of the brain has revealed a high prevalence of subclinical cerebral infarcts (68%-98%) associated with the TAVR procedure. Although their clinical significance has not been fully established, clinically evident CVE ranges between 3% and 5% in patients considered at high operative risk to between 1% and 3% in low operative risk patients. Periprocedural CVEs are largely the result of embolization of the thrombus and tissue derived from the valve, vasculature, or myocardium. Cerebral embolic protection devices have been studied in multiple trials, with some evidence supporting a reduction in new cerebral lesion volume, number, and potentially disabling strokes. However, thus far, there is no robust evidence that they reduce the overall stroke rate. The number and severity of comorbidities, in particular, new-onset atrial fibrillation, are associated with CVEs. Valve thrombosis diagnosed using computed tomography as areas of hypoattenuated leaflet thickening has been identified in 10% to 15% of patients. This is a dynamic process associated with an increase in CVEs, but that resolves with anticoagulation or sometimes without it. Routine use of anticoagulation compared with a single antiplatelet agent is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, without any additional alleviation in risk of thromboembolism. Future studies to improve risk stratification could facilitate the tailoring of preventive therapies to patients at high risk of CVE, who stand to gain the most benefit.

Aortic Valve Calcium Score: Applications in Clinical Practice and Scientific Research-A Narrative Review

In this narrative review, we investigate the essential role played by the computed tomography Aortic Valve Calcium Score (AVCS) in the cardiovascular diagnostic landscape, with a special focus on its implications for clinical practice and scientific research. Calcific aortic valve stenosis is the most prevalent type of aortic stenosis (AS) in industrialized countries, and due to the aging population, its prevalence is increasing. While transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) remains the gold standard, AVCS stands out as an essential complementary tool in evaluating patients with AS. The advantage of AVCS is its independence from flow; this allows for a more precise evaluation of patients with discordant findings in TTE. Further clinical applications of AVCS include in the assessment of patients before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), as it helps in predicting outcomes and provides prognostic information post-TAVR. Additionally, we describe different AVCS thresholds regarding gender and the anatomical variations of the aortic valve. Finally, we discuss various scientific studies where AVCS was applied. As AVCS has some limitations, due to the pathophysiologies of AS extending beyond calcification and gender differences, scientists strive to validate contrast-enhanced AVCS. Furthermore, research on developing radiation-free methods of measuring calcium content is ongoing.

A Case of Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Alteplase Immediately After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Which Procedures or Surgeries are Considered Contraindications to Thrombolytics?

Undergoing a major surgery within 14 days is considered a contraindication for intravenous alteplase. However, there is no consensus as to what qualifies as major surgery or an invasive procedure. Occasionally, determining whether a procedure is "invasive" or too risky in the setting of emergency ischemic stroke thrombolytic management can be challenging. Stroke neurologists may not be able to make such a decision on their own. Guidance or clearance from the physicians who performed the procedure is essential. We report the case of a patient who received intravenous alteplase after developing a stroke immediately following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).