Early outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for degenerated aortic bioprostheses in Japanese patients: insights from the AORTIC VIV study

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for structural degeneration of previously implanted transcatheter valves (TAVR-in-TAVR): a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) represents a valid treatment for patients with aortic valve stenosis and high or intermediate surgical risk. However, biological transcatheter valves can also experience a structural degeneration after years, and a redo-TAVR procedure (TAVR-in-TAVR) can be a valid option. We revised the current available literature for indications, procedural and technical details and outcome on TAVR-in-TAVR procedures for degenerated TAVR valves.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in the public medical database for scientific articles on TAVR-in-TAVR procedures for degenerated transcatheter valves. Data on demographics, indications, first and second transcatheter valve type and size, mortality, complications and follow-up were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies (1 multicentre, 3 case series, 9 case reports) were included in this review, with a total amount of 160 patients treated with TAVR-in-TAVR procedures for transcatheter valve failure. The mean age was 74.8 ± 7.8 with 84 males (52.8%). The mean elapsed time from the first TAVR procedure was 58.1 ± 23.4 months. Main indication for TAVR-in-TAVR was pure stenosis (38.4%, with mean gradient of 44.5 ± 18.5 mmHg), regurgitation (31.4%), mixed stenosis and regurgitation (29.5%) and leaflet thrombosis (8.8%). Procedural success rate was 86.8%, with second TAVR valve malposition occurred in 4 cases (2.5%). The hospital mortality rate was 1.25% (2/160). Post-procedural echocardiographic control showed moderate regurgitation in 5.6% of patients (9/160) and residual transvalvular mean gradient ≥20 mmHg in 5% of cases. Postoperative complications included major vascular complications (8.7%), new pacemaker implantation (8.7%), acute kidney failure (3.7%), stroke (0.6%) and coronary obstruction (0.6%). The mean follow-up time was 6 ± 5.6 months with 1 non-cardiovascular death reported.

CONCLUSIONS

TAVR-in-TAVR represents a valid alternative to standard surgery for the treatment of degenerated transcatheter valves in high-risk patients. Despite these promising results, further studies are required to assess durability and haemodynamic performances of the second TAVR valve.

SUBJ COLLECTION

117, 122, 125.

Successful transcatheter aortic valve in valve implantation for degenerated trifecta bioprosthesis in a patient with a coronary anomaly

We report a case of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a 79-year-old woman with a coronary anomaly who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with a 23-mm Abbott Trifecta bioprosthesis. The procedure was performed in response to severe aortic stenosis caused by a bicuspid aortic valve. Computed tomography showed an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus, with an interarterial course. Although the virtual transcatheter valve to coronary ostium distance-right coronary artery was short, the right coronary artery ostium was just behind the stent post. The externally mounted leaflet was unable to reach the coronary orifice beyond the stent post. This case highlights a successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation for stented bioprostheses with externally mounted leaflets when the virtual transcatheter valve to coronary ostium distance is shortened by a coronary anomaly.