RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of functional improvement of a transcatheter heart valve (THV) for valve-in-valve after bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) of three small surgical aortic valve bioprostheses (SAVBP) using high-pressure balloon aortic valvuloplasty (HP-BAV) under standardized ex-vivo-conditions. METHODS: A THV 26 mm (Evolut R) and SAVBP 21 mm (Perimount Magna Ease, Trifecta, and Epic supra [n = 4] were used. Mean pressure gradient (MPG), effective orifice area (EOA), geometric orifice area (GOA), minimal internal diameter (MID), and pinwheeling index (PWI) were analyzed before and after HP-BAV of the SAVBP using a noncompliant balloon. Fracturing of the SAVBP was done before implantation of the THV and the balloon pressures at the point of fracture were recorded. RESULTS: The Magna Ease and Epic fractured at balloon pressures of 18 and 8 atm, respectively. The Trifecta did not fracture up to a balloon pressure of 30 atm but was dilated. HP-BAV led to increased THV expansion as evident by straightened coaptation lines of the Evolut R 26 mm with reduced PWI, increased MID, and increased GOA in all 21 mm SAVBP. Evolut R showed significantly lower MPG and higher EOA as ViV in all prostheses after HP-BAV (p < 0.001). MPG and EOA of Evolut R differed regarding the SAVBP. Evolut R presented the lowest MPG and highest EOA in Magna Ease and the highest MPG and lowest EOA in Epic supra. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of function improvement of the same THV as ViV after HP-BAV depends on the surgical valve model. Functional improvement can also be achieved without valve fracture.

Asunto(s)

Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica , Valvuloplastia con Balón , Bioprótesis , Prótesis Valvulares Cardíacas , Reemplazo de la Válvula Aórtica Transcatéter , Humanos , Reemplazo de la Válvula Aórtica Transcatéter/efectos adversos , Reemplazo de la Válvula Aórtica Transcatéter/métodos , Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica/diagnóstico por imagen , Estenosis de la Válvula Aórtica/cirugía , Válvula Aórtica/diagnóstico por imagen , Válvula Aórtica/cirugía , Hidrodinámica , Diseño de Prótesis , Resultado del Tratamiento , Valvuloplastia con Balón/efectos adversos

RESUMEN

Background: Bioprosthetic valve fracturing (BVF) results in low gradients following valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR). For the commonly used Edwards PERIMOUNT valve data from bench-testing are lacking to provide technical specifications for successful BVF during ViV-TAVR. Methods: Using four Perimount 19- and 21-mm valves, in-vitro high-pressure balloon valvuloplasty with the True Dilatation Balloon Valvuloplasty Catheter and Atlas Gold PTA Dilatation Catheter was performed to analyze balloon-oversizing and pressure-thresholds to successfully achieve BVF. Results: High-pressure balloons one millimeter larger than the labeled valve size and pressure rates of 20 atm (for Perimount 19-mm) and > 22 atm (for Perimount 21-mm) were required to achieve BVF. Caliper measurements demonstrated 2.5 mm (Perimount 19-mm) and 1.5 mm (Perimount 21-mm) enlarged inner prosthetic diameters after BVF. The Atlas TM Gold PTA Dilatation Catheter achieved BVF with the Perimount 21-mm, whereas the True TM Dilatation Balloon Valvuloplasty Catheter failed in the Perimount 21-mm either for balloon-rupture or pinhole-defect. Conclusion: Both 19-mm and 21-mm Perimount P 2900 are amendable to BVF, thereby increasing the inner prosthetic diameter. High-pressure balloons 1 mm larger than the labeled valves are essential for this purpose, and the Atlas Gold PTA Dilatation Catheter alone should ensure success in the 21-mm prosthetics.

RESUMEN

A patient with severe bioprosthesic patient-prosthesis mismatch, severe paravalvular leak, and symptoms of heart failure New York Heart Association functional class III was successfully treated using valve cracking followed by valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation with excellent results at 1-year follow-up. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

RESUMEN

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) valve-in-valve (VIV) therapy has been approved for select patients with surgically inoperable bioprosthetic valves that need replacement. Bioprosthetic valve fracturing (BVF) used in conjunction with VIV TAVR can reduce transvalvular gradients and increase the aortic valve area. Twelve patients who underwent BVF VIV TAVR at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. Measurements of hemodynamics and aortic valve area were performed at baseline, after VIV TAVR, after BVF, and at 30-day follow-up. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 7.12 ± 3.5%, with 75% of patients deemed high risk by the heart team. Mean gradients decreased from 44 mm Hg to 15 mm Hg following VIV TAVR, and to 7 mm Hg following BVF. The mean aortic valve area increased from 0.6 cm2 to 1 cm2 following VIV TAVR, and to 1.3 cm2 following BVF. There were no postoperative permanent pacemaker implantations or vascular complications, and at 30 days, only one patient had died. While we report intraoperative mortality, BVF with VIV TAVR can be performed to reduce transvalvular gradients and increase effective aortic valve area in high-surgical-risk patients with failed bioprosthetic valves.