Aortic valvuloplasty of calcific aortic stenosis with monofoil and trefoil balloon catheters: practical considerations. An evaluation of balloon design and valvular morphology relationship, derived from experimental and clinicopathological observations

Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty Using a Non-Occlusive Balloon Catheter: First Animal Experience

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implants (TAVI) have revolutionised the treatment of elderly patients requiring aortic valve replacement. These patients often do not tolerate balloon valvuloplasty well, and a valvuloplasty balloon that would allow a degree of continued cardiac output during expansion would be beneficial. We tested such a balloon and describe our results in the sheep model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We developed a non-occlusive balloon (NOB) catheter. An acute experiment was performed where the NOB was inflated in six sheep in the aortic valve position without any attempt to arrest cardiac output. Two inflations were performed per animal: the first for 30 s and the second for 2-3 min. Standard occlusive balloons were inflated in two animals under rapid ventricular pacing to serve as controls. Mean pressure gradient across the NOB was 9.7 ± 5 mmHg during the inflations and all animals remained hemodynamically stable during NOB inflations.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel non-occlusive balloon catheter, which permitted uninterrupted cardiac output for a prolonged period without the need for pacing-induced temporary cessation of cardiac output, is both feasible and well tolerated in the acute sheep model.