Sedation or general anesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

The association between different anesthetic techniques and outcomes in patients undergoing transfemoral aortic valve replacement

Background

There is an increasing number of patients undergoing transfemoral aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with sedation. There is limited data assessing the efficacy and safety of the different types of sedative drugs. The objective was to compare two sedation techniques with regard to the need for vasoactive support, respiratory support, rate of conversion to general anesthesia (GA), common perioperative morbidities, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective chart review study conducted among patients who underwent TAVR at a specialized cardiac center between January 2016 and December 2019. Data collection included patient diagnosis, preoperative comorbidities, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative outcomes.

Results

A total of 289 patients received local anesthesia; 210 received propofol infusion and 79 received a mixed propofol-ketamine infusion (Ketofol). The average age was 75.5 ± 8.9 years and 58.1% of the patients were females. Comparing propofol and ketofol groups, 31.2% and 34.2% of the patients required drug support, 7.6% and 6.3% required conversion to GA, 46.7% and 59.5% required respiratory support, respectively. These intraoperative outcomes were not significantly different between groups, P = 0.540, P = 0.707, and P = 0.105, respectively. In-hospital 30-day mortality in propofol and ketofol groups were 1.9% and 3.8%, respectively, P = 0.396. In both groups, the median post-procedure coronary care unit stay was 26 hours while post-procedure hospital stay was 3 days.

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in perioperative or postoperative outcomes in TAVR patients receiving either propofol or ketofol. Propofol infusion, either alone or with ketamine, is reliable and safe, with minimal side effects.

Evaluation of Anaesthetic Approaches in Transcatheter Aortic Valv Implantation Procedures

Objective

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement and has become a popular treatment modality for inoperable or patients at high surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis. We aimed to evaluate our perioperative anaesthetic experiences with patients undergoing TAVI under sedation or general anaesthesia (GA).

Methods

One hundred and fifty-nine patients who underwent TAVI procedures were enrolled. Effects on TAVI outcomes of sedation and GA were compared.

Results

The duration of surgery and anaesthesia was significantly longer in patients who received GA. Insertion site complication and post-TAVI pacemaker implantation rates were similar between the groups, but the frequency of intraoperative complications (10% vs. 0.8%; P=0.015), intraoperative hypotension (35.3% vs. 70%; P < 0.001), and acute kidney injury (12.6% vs. 27.5%; P=0.028) was significantly higher in the GA group. Stroke occurred in seven patients, and all were in the sedation group.

Conclusion

GA is related to increased procedure time and acute kidney injury; therefore, local anaesthesia and sedation may be the first option in patients undergoing TAVI.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy of pheochromocytoma following management of severe aortic stenosis with transcatheter aortic valve replacement under monitored anesthesia care sedation: a case report

BACKGROUND

Management of a patient with an active pheochromocytoma and severe aortic stenosis remains controversial. Adrenalectomy for a pheochromocytoma poses a high risk for stroke, hypertensive emergency, and mortality, compounded by the cardiovascular instability of severe aortic stenosis. In this case report, successful management of an active pheochromocytoma with concomitant severe aortic stenosis was accomplished by performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement under monitored anesthesia care prior to laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 84-year-old woman with severe aortic stenosis (valve area 0.53 cm²) presented with a symptomatic pheochromocytoma. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement was performed under monitored anesthesia care using a judicious approach of 100 mcg fentanyl total, 4 mg total of midazolam, and a background dexmedetomidine infusion. Alpha-blockade was maintained with 10 mg total of phentolamine mesylate. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed after an uncomplicated postoperative course. The perioperative course for the adrenalectomy was unremarkable and the patient was hemodynamically stable. Postoperative course was uncomplicated and the patient was discharged from the hospital after 5 days.

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrated the successful approach of managing severe aortic stenosis through a transcatheter aortic valve replacement using monitored anesthesia care sedation prior to laparoscopic adrenalectomy of a symptomatic pheochromocytoma.

Anesthetic management for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A national anesthesia clinical outcomes registry analysis

Background

General anesthesia has traditionally been used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement; however, there has been increasing interest and momentum in alternative anesthetic techniques.

Aims

To perform a descriptive study of anesthetic management options in transcatheter aortic valve replacements in the United States, comparing trends in use of monitored anesthesia care versus general anesthesia.

Settings and Design

Data evaluated from the American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) Anesthesia Quality Institute's National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry.

Materials and Methods

Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors associated with use of monitored anesthesia care compared to general anesthesia.

Results

The use of monitored anesthesia care has increased from 1.8% of cases in 2013 to 25.2% in 2017 (p = 0.0001). Patients were more likely ages 80+ (66% vs. 61%; p = 0.0001), male (54% vs. 52%; p = 0.0001), ASA physical status > III (86% vs. 80%; p = 0.0001), cared for in the Northeast (38% vs. 22%; p = 0.0001), and residents in zip codes with higher median income ($63,382 vs. $55,311; p = 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed each one-year increase in age, every 50 procedures performed annually at a practice, and being male were associated with 3% (p = 0.0001), 33% (p = 0.012), and 16% (p = 0.026) increased odds of monitored anesthesia care, respectively. Centers in the Northeast were more likely to use monitored anesthesia care (all p < 0.005). Patients who underwent approaches other than percutaneous femoral arterial were less likely to receive monitored anesthesia care (adjusted odds ratios all < 0.51; all p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Anesthetic type for transcatheter aortic valve replacements in the United States varies with age, sex, geography, volume of cases performed at a center, and procedural approach.

Assessing the Safety of Total Intravenous Anesthesia with Remimazolam in General Anesthesia for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation of Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Case Series

Background and Objectives: In patients with severe aortic stenosis (sAS), it is crucial to maintain hemodynamic stability during the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of remimazolam in maintaining hemodynamic stability during anesthetic induction and maintenance. Cases: TAVI was performed on seven patients with sAS, and remimazolam was administered for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) of general anesthesia with induction (3.0 mg/kg/h) and maintenance (1.0 mg/kg/h). All patients underwent TAVI without major hemodynamic concerns and later recovered. Conclusions: Remimazolam can be safely used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in patients with sAS when performing TAVI.

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed treatment of severe aortic stenosis: a single cardiac center experience

Background

Currently, two effective therapeutic options for severe aortic stenosis (AS) are available, one catheter-based [transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)], the other open surgical approach [surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)]. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the availability of medical procedures. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess if this pandemic had any impact on the treatment strategy of severe AS in a single cardiac center.

Methods

This study involved AS patients treated in 3-month periods (February through April) over 3 consecutive years 2018, 2019 [defined as COV(-) group] and 2020 [COV(+)]. We assessed if there were any differences regarding patients' clinical profile, applied therapeutic method, procedure complexity and early clinical outcomes.

Results

In the years 2018 through 2019, approximately 50% of AS patients were treated classically (SAVR) while in 2020 this rate dropped to 34%. The preoperative clinical characteristic of TAVI subjects was comparable irrespective of the year. Regarding SAVR, more patients in COV(+) underwent urgent and more complex procedures. More of them were found in NYHA class III or IV, and had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (51.9%±14.4% vs. 58.3%±8.1%; P=0.021) than in COV(-) individuals. During the pandemic, a change in applied therapeutic methods and differences in patients' clinical profile did not have an unfavorable impact on in-hospital mortality (2.0% before vs. 3.6% during pandemic) and morbidity. Of note, intubation time and in-hospital stay were significantly shorter (P<0.05) in 2020 (4.2 hours and 7.5 days) than in the previous years (7.5 hours and 9.0 days, respectively).

Conclusions

The coronavirus pandemic has changed substantially the management of severe AS. The shift into less invasive treatment method of AS patients resulted in shortening of in-hospital stay without compromise of short-term outcomes.

Development of the Minimalist Approach for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

OBJECTIVES

While a minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) approach has shown safety and efficacy at civilian hospitals, limited data exist regarding developing this approach at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers (VAMCs). We implemented TAVR with minimalist approach (MA) using conscious sedation (CS) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and compared safety and outcomes with general anesthesia (GA) with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at a university-affiliated VAMC.

METHODS

A total of 258 patients underwent transfemoral TAVR at a VAMC between November 2013 and October 2019. Ninety-three patients underwent GA/TEE and 165 patients underwent CS/TTE with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Propensity-score matching with nearest-neighbor matching was used to account for baseline differences, yielding 227 participants (81 GA, 146 CS).

RESULTS

MA-TAVR had no effect on 30-day mortality or paravalvular leakage. No differences were found in permanent pacemaker implantation, major vascular complications, or postoperative hemodynamics. In this population, MA-TAVR did not reduce procedural time, hospital length of stay, or intensive care unit length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike civilian hospitals, MA with CS/TTE did not reduce overall length of stay in the veteran population; however, it was safe and effective for transfemoral TAVR without impacting clinical outcomes of mortality, major vascular complications, and paravalvular leakage.

General anaesthesia or sedation for percutaneous aortic valve implantation? The questionnaire results and authors' experience

Introduction

Over the last two decades transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been approved for clinical use. The anaesthetic choice for this procedure is evolving. General anaesthesia was the predominant anaesthetic technique. Growing experience and advances in technology and economic considerations have led to an increasing interest in performing TAVR under monitored sedation.

Aim

The assessment of monitored sedation, called cooperative sedation, involves pharmacologically mediated suppression of consciousness and preservation of verbal contact in response to stimulation as a safe method of anaesthesia for TAVR.

Material and methods

Sixty out of 63 TAVR patients with femoral access received monitored sedation. Dexmedetomidine was administered in most of such cases (46 patients). A questionnaire was also carried out by staff involved in performing TAVR procedures, with more than 5 years of experience in it, concerning the method of anaesthesia and perioperative care.

Results

Conversion to general anaesthesia was required in 10% of patients (6 cases), only one as a patient-related complication (hypercarbia). The questionnaire carried out showed that anaesthesia and postoperative care after TAVR are underestimated.

Conclusions

The preliminary results regarding anaesthetic management in TAVR procedures demonstrate that monitored sedation is safe, provided that contraindications are observed.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Programs: Clinical Outcomes and Developments

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a relatively recent revolutionary treatment that has now become a standard procedure for treating severe aortic stenosis. In this article, the authors review the clinical history of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, summarize the major clinical trials, and describe the evolution of the technique over time. In doing so, the authors hope to provide a clear and concise review of the history and clinical evidence behind transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: General anesthesia using transesophageal echocardiography does not decrease the incidence of paravalvular leaks compared to sedation alone

Background:

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valid option for patients with severe aortic stenosis judged to be at high surgical risk. For this procedure, there is no agreement on the appropriate type of anesthesia. Sedation offers several advantages, but general anesthesia (GA) leads to less paravalvular leaks (PVLs) probably because of the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. The objective was to compare the incidence of PVL among patients receiving conscious sedation (TAVI-S) and patients receiving GA (TAVI-GA). We made the hypothesis that a referral center does not necessitate TAVI-GA to reduce the incidence of moderate-to-severe PVL.

Aim:

The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate-to-severe PVL at 30 days after the implantation.

Design and Setting:

This study design was a retrospective observational trial in a university hospital.

Methods:

The TAVI-S group underwent the procedure under conscious sedation. In the TAVI-GA group, an endotracheal tube and a TEE probe were inserted. After the valve deployment, PVL was assessed by hemodynamic and fluoroscopic measurements in the TAVI-S group. TEE was also used in the TAVI-GA group to evaluate the presence of PVL. When PVL was moderate or severe according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria.

Results:

TAVI-S and TAVI-GA were accomplished in 168 (67.5%) and 81 (32.5%) patients, respectively. Our results show no difference between the two groups regarding the incidence and grade of PVL.

Conclusion:

Performing TAVI under GA with TEE guidance is not associated with a lower incidence of moderate and severe PVL.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The Experience of One Brazilian Health Care Center

Objective

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been an alternative to invasive treatment for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in high risk patients. The primary endpoint was 30-day and 1-year mortality from any cause. Secondary endpoints were to compare the clinical and echocardiographic variation pre-and post- transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and the occurrence of complications throughout a 4-year follow-up period.

Methods

This prospective cohort, nestled to a multicenter study (Registro Brasileiro de Implante de Bioprótese por Cateter), describes the experience of a public tertiary center in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. All patients who underwent this procedure between October 2011 and February 2016 were included.

Results

Fifty-eight patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The 30-day all-cause mortality was 5.2% (n=3) and after 1 year was 17.2% (n=10). A significant improvement in New York Heart Association functional classification was observed when comparing pre-and post- transcatheter aortic valve replacement (III or IV 84.4% versus 5.8%; P<0.001). A decline in peak was observed (P<0.001) and mean (P<0.001) systolic transaortic gradient. The results of peak and mean post-implant transaortic gradient were sustained after one year (P=0.29 and P=0.36, respectively). Left ventricular ejection fraction did not change significantly during follow-up (P=0.41). The most frequent complications were bleeding (28.9%), the need for permanent pacemaker (27.6%) and acute renal injury (20.6%).

Conclusion

Mortality and complications in this study were consistent with worldwide experience. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement had positive clinical and hemodynamic results, when comparing pre-and post-procedure, and the hemodynamic profile of the prosthesis was sustained throughout follow-up.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis in high surgical risk patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic aortic stenosis has a poor prognosis. Many patients are considered inoperable or at high surgical risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), reflecting their age, comorbidities and frailty. The clinical effectiveness and safety of TAVI have not been reviewed systematically for these high levels of surgical risk. This systematic review compares mortality and other important clinical outcomes up to 5 years post treatment following TAVI or other treatment in these risk groups.

METHODS

A systematic review protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42016048396). The Cochrane Library, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination Databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ZETOC were searched from January 2002 to August 2016. Clinical trials or matched studies comparing TAVI with other treatments for AS in patients surgically inoperable or operable at a high risk were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted by two reviewers. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality, efficacy and major complications.

RESULTS

Three good quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Patients' mean age ranged from 83-85 years, around half were female and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV ranged from 83.8% to 94.2% with frequent comorbidities. In 358 surgically inoperable patients from one RCT, TAVI was superior to medical therapy for all-cause mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio (HR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36-0.92), 2 years (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.65), 3 years (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41to 0.68) and 5 years (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.65), and NYHA class III or IV at 2 years (TAVI 16.8% (16/95), medical therapy 57.5% (23/40), p<0.001), quality of life and re-hospitalisation. TAVI had higher risks of major bleeding up to 1 year, of stroke up to 3 years (at one year 11.2% versus 5.5%, p = .06; HR at 2 years 2.79, 95% CI 1.25-6.22; HR at 3 years 2.81; 95% CI 1.26-6.26) and of major vascular complication at 3 years (HR 8.27, 95% CI 2.92-23.44). Using the GRADE tool, this evidence was considered to be of moderate quality. In a meta-analysis including 1,494 high risk surgically operable patients from two non-inferiority RCTs TAVI showed no significant differences from SAVR in all-cause mortality at two years (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.82-1.29) and up to 5 years (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.83-1.12). There were no statistically significant differences in major vascular complications and myocardial infarction at any time point, discrepant results for major bleeding on variable definitions and no differences in stroke rate at any time point. Using the GRADE tool, this evidence was considered of low quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic aortic stenosis can be lethal without intervention but surgical resection is contraindicated for some patients and high risk for others. We found that all-cause mortality up to 5 years of follow-up did not differ significantly between TAVI and SAVR in patients surgically operable at a high risk, but favoured TAVI over medical therapy in patients surgically inoperable. TAVI is a viable life-extending treatment option in these surgical high risk groups.

Comparison of transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography under moderate sedation for guiding transcatheter aortic valve replacement

The optimal periprocedural imaging strategy during transcathether aortic valve replacement (TAVR) performed under moderate sedation is debated. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) provides suboptimal views due to poorer resolution and patient positioning, whereas use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) under moderate sedation is not widely utilized. The aim of our study was to compare the value of TTE in comparison with TEE guidance under moderate sedation during TAVR. The study population included 144 consecutive patients (mean age 83 ± 11 years, 78 (54%) females) who had TAVR under moderate sedation using either a TTE (n = 96) or TEE (n = 48). We compared procedural outcomes using propensity score matching. There were no significant inter-group differences in age, sex, ejection fraction, aortic valve area, pressure gradients, creatinine or type of valve used. The procedural time was significantly shorter in the TEE group (P < 0.001) and associated with a lower need for periprocedural aortograms (7.7 ± 1.9 vs 8.2 ± 1.9, P = 0.022) and a lower occurrence of acute kidney injury (1 vs 11, P = 0.047). The 1:1 propensity score matching also showed a lower procedural time (P = 0.032), number of aortograms (P = 0.014) and a trend toward lower acute kidney injury in the TEE group (P = 0.077). TAVR guidance using TEE is associated with a lower fluoroscopic time, a lower need for additional aortograms and trend in lower occurrence of post-TAVR acute kidney injury.

Is local anaesthesia a favourable approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing local and general anaesthesia

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the potential favourable effects of local anaesthesia plus sedation (LAS) compared with general anaesthesia (GA) in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

METHODS

Electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and the reference lists of eligible publications were screened for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies published between 1 January 2006 and 26 June 2016 that compare LAS to GA in an adult study population undergoing TAVI. We conducted study quality assessments using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and structured the review according to PRISMA. A meta-analysis calculating the pooled risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) under the assumption of a random-effects model was performed. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic and Cochran's Q-test.

RESULTS

After database screening, one RCT and 19 observational studies were included in the review. We found no differences between LAS and GA in terms of 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality and other endpoints that addressed safety and complication rates. LAS was associated with a shorter ICU and hospital stay and with lower rates of catecholamine administration and red blood cell transfusion. New pacemaker implantations occurred more frequently under LAS. The overall conversion rate from LAS to GA was 6.2%.

CONCLUSION

For TAVI, both LAS and GA are feasible and safe. LAS may have some benefits such as increased haemodynamic stability and shorter hospital and ICU stays, but it does not impact 30-day mortality. Since there is a paucity of randomised trial data and the findings are mainly based on observational study data, this review should be considered as a hypothesis-generating article for subsequent RCTs that are required to confirm the potential favourable effects we detected for LAS.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016048398 (PROSPERO).

Bispectral index-guided sedation in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a retrospective control study

OBJECTIVE

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive therapy for elderly patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who were refused surgical aortic valve replacement because of the high perioperative risk. Traditionally, this procedure has been done under general anesthesia, but more recently local anesthesia and sedation have become popular. This research assessed the effectiveness of transfemoral TAVI under bispectral index (BIS)-guided sedation.

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective control analysis, clinical data, including demographic characteristics, echocardiography, periprocedural data, and main complications, were collected and assessed in 113 patients undergoing TAVI through the femoral artery under general anesthesia (GA group, n=36) and under BIS-guided sedation (SED group, n=77).

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics and echocardiographic parameters between the two groups were similar (P>0.05). Two (2.6%) of patients were moved from BIS-guided sedation to general anesthesia for surgical reasons. Procedures were significantly shorter in the SED group than in the GA group ((127.10±44.43) min vs. (165.90±71.62) min, P=0.004). Patients in the SED group lost less blood and received significantly fewer red blood cells and catecholamines than those in the GA group (5.19% vs. 22.22%, P=0.017 and 67.53% vs. 97.22%, P<0.001). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter and there were fewer pulmonary complications in the SED group than in the GA group. Thirty-day mortality was similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

BIS-guided sedation is a feasible and safe approach for transfemoral TAVI. The anesthesiologist should choose the best anesthetic method according to the team's experience.

Long term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): a systematic review of 5-year survival and beyond

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) is becoming more frequently used to treat aortic stenosis (AS), with increasing push for the procedure in lower risk patients. Numerous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that TAVI offers a suitable alternative to the current gold standard of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in terms of short-term outcomes. The present review evaluates long-term outcomes following TAVI procedures.

METHODS

Literature search using three electronic databases was performed up to June 2017. Studies which included 20 or more patients undergoing TAVI procedures, either as a stand-alone or concomitant procedure and with a follow-up of at least 5 years, were included in the present review. Literature search and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers. Digitized survival data were extracted from Kaplan-Meier curves in order to re-create the original patient data using an iterative algorithm and subsequently aggregated for analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies were included in the present analysis, with a total of 13,857 patients. Two studies were national registries, eight were multi-institutional collaborations and the remainder were institutional series. Overall, 45.7% of patients were male, with mean age of 81.5±7.0 years. Where reported, the mean Logistic EuroSCORE (LES) was 22.1±13.7 and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 9.2±6.6. The pooled analysis found 30-day mortality, cerebrovascular accidents, acute kidney injury (AKI) and requirement for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation to be 8.4%, 2.8%, 14.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. Aggregated survival at 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-year were 83%, 75%, 65%, 48% and 28%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review identified acceptable long-term survival results for TAVI procedures in an elderly population. Extended follow-up is required to assess long-term outcomes following TAVI, particularly before its application is extended into wider population groups.

A Pilot Analysis of the Association Between Types of Monitored Anesthesia Care Drugs and Outcomes in Transfemoral Aortic Valve Replacement Performed Without General Anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

The types of agents used for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and their possible differential effects on outcomes have received less study despite increased use over general anesthesia (GA) in transfemoral aortic valve replacements (TAVRs). In this pilot analysis of patients undergoing TAVR using MAC, the authors described the anesthetic agents used and sought to investigate the possible association of anesthetic agent choice with outcomes and the extent to which total weight and time-adjusted doses of anesthetics declined with increasing 10-year age increments.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Tertiary teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-three participants scheduled to undergo TAVR, with a primary plan of conscious sedation between November 2014 and June 2016, were included.

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Types of MAC were divided into 4 primary groups, but 2 groups were focused: propofol (n = 39) and dexmedetomidine plus propofol (n = 34). Conversion to GA occurred in 6 participants (6.45%) and was not associated with the type of sedation received. The authors also compared patients who received dexmedetomidine with those who did not in accordance with their a priori analytic plan. There were no associations between the use of dexmedetomidine and postoperative delirium or intensive care unit/hospital length of stay. No significant trends in medication dose adjustments were seen across increasing 10-year age increments.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide breadth of MAC medications is in use among TAVR patients and does not support differences in outcomes. Despite recommendations to reduce anesthetic drug dosing in the elderly, no significant trends in dose reduction with increasing age were noted.

Is transnasal TEE imaging a viable alternative to conventional TEE during structural cardiac interventions to avoid general anaesthesia? A pilot comparison study of image quality

Aim

The role of transoesophageal echocardiography in cardiac interventional structural procedures is well established and appreciated. However, the need for general anaesthesia (GA) throughout the procedure remains a controversial issue. The aim of the present study is to assess the feasibility and imaging quality of using a transnasal microrobe that allows the usage of conscious sedation in patients who undergo cardiac structural interventional procedures without missing the benefits, guidance and navigation of conventional trans-procedural TEE.

Methods

We analysed the trans-procedural images of 24 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI, TMVI or ASD/PFO closure, using a transnasal 2D microprobe (PHILIPS) and then we compared them with images taken by using a conventional 3D TEE probe (PHILIPS). In particular, we compared the imaging quality of the two probes regarding: (1) The anatomy, visualisation of valvular calcification and transvalvular colour Doppler of the aortic and mitral valve; (2) the imaging quality of PFO, ASD and interatrial communication colour flow; (3) the imaging of left ventricle systolic function and pericardial space and (4) transgastric imaging.

Results

All images were graded with a scale from 5 to 1. The average grade of imaging quality in the mitral valve was: anatomy, 4.3; calcification, 3.8; colour Doppler, 4.2. The average grade of imaging quality in the aortic valve was: anatomy, 4.3; calcification, 3.7; colour Doppler, 4.3. The average grade of imaging quality in PFO/ASD was 4.3. The average grade of imaging quality in LV/pericardial space was 4.2. The average grade of imaging quality in transgastric imaging was 4.1.

Conclusion

These results suggest that transnasal TEE can provide good anatomical image quality of relevant cardiac structures during cardiac structural interventions and this may facilitate these procedures being performed during conscious sedation without having to lose TEE guidance.

Ultrasound-guided central vascular interventions, comments on the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines on interventional ultrasound

Central venous access has traditionally been performed on the basis of designated anatomical landmarks. However, due to patients' individual anatomy and vessel pathology and depending on individual operators' skill, this landmark approach is associated with a significant failure rate and complication risk. There is substantial evidence demonstrating significant improvement in effectiveness and safety of vascular access by realtime ultrasound (US)-guidance, as compared to the anatomical landmark-guided approach. This review comments on the evidence-based recommendations on US-guided vascular access which have been published recently within the framework of Guidelines on Interventional Ultrasound (InVUS) of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) from a clinical practice point of view.

Periprocedural considerations of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for anesthesiologists

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is rapidly gaining popularity as a viable option in the management of patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) and high risk for open surgical intervention. TAVR soon expanding its indications from "high-risk" group of patients to those with "intermediate-risk". As an anesthesiologist; understanding the procedure and the challenges inherent to it is of utmost importance, in order to implement optimal care for this generally frail population undergoing a rather novel procedure. Cardiac anesthesiologists generally play a pivotal role in the perioperative care of the patients, and therefore they should be fully familiar with the circumstances occurring surrounding the procedure. Along with increasing experience and technical developments for TAVR, the procedure time becomes shorter. Due to this improvement in the procedure time, more and more anesthesiologists feel comfortable in using monitored anesthesia care with moderate sedation for patients undergoing TAVR. A number of complications could arise during the procedure needing rapid diagnoses and occasionally conversion to general anesthesia. This review focuses on the periprocedural anesthetic considerations for TAVR.