Acute left main coronary artery occlusion following TAVI and emergency solution

Simple 2-dimensional anatomic model to predict the risk of coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE

In this study, a 2-dimensional (2D) index relying on preprocedural computed tomography (CT) data was developed to evaluate the risk of coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

METHODS

Anatomic measurements from pre-TAVR CT scans were collected in 28 patients among 600 who were flagged as high risk (defined as meeting coronary artery height, h, <14 mm and/or sinus of Valsalva diameter, SOVd, <30 mm) for coronary obstruction. A geometric model derived from these anatomic measurements was used to predict the post-TAVR native cusp apposition relative to the coronary ostium. The distance from the cusp to the coronary ostium, DLC2D, was measured from the geometric model and indexed with the coronary artery diameter, d, to yield a fractional obstruction measure, DLC2D/d.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of 28 high-risk patients successfully underwent TAVR without coronary obstruction, of whom 1 had coronary obstruction and 4 were deemed non-TAVR candidates. DLC2D/d differed significantly between the 2 groups (P < .0018), but neither h nor SOVd did (P > .32). The optimal sensitivity and specificity for DLC2D/d were 85% and occurred at a cutoff of 0.45. The optimal sensitivity and specificity of h and SOVd in this high-risk group were only 60% and 40%, respectively, for cutoffs of h = 10 mm and SOVd = 30.5 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2D geometric model derived in this study shows promise for identifying patients with low-lying coronary ostium and/or small SOVd that may be safely treated with TAVR. DLC2D/d is more predictive of obstruction or poor TAVR candidacy compared with h and SOVd.

Modeling risk of coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE

In this study we aimed to evaluate risk of coronary obstruction during transcatheter aortic valve replacement and develop improved criteria based on computational modeling.

METHODS

Patient specific 3-dimensional models were constructed and validated for 28 patients out of 600 patients who were flagged as high risk for coronary obstruction (defined as meeting coronary ostium height < 14 mm and/or sinus of Valsalva diameter [SOVd] < 30 mm). The models consisted finite element analysis to predict the post- transcatheter aortic valve replacement native cusp apposition relative to the coronary ostium and were validated in vitro. The distance from cusp to coronary ostium (DLC) was derived from the 3-dimensional models and indexed with the coronary artery diameter to yield a fractional obstruction measure (DLC/d).

RESULTS

Twenty-two out of 28 high-risk patients successfully underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement without coronary obstruction and 6 did not. DLC/d between the 2 groups was significantly different (P < .00078), whereas neither coronary ostium height nor SOVd were significantly different (P > .32). A cutoff of DLC/d < 0.7 was predictive with 100% sensitivity and 95.7% specificity. The optimal sensitivity and specificity of coronary ostium height and SOVd in this high-risk group was only 60% and 40%, respectively, for cutoff coronary ostium height of 10 mm and SOVd of 30.5 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional modeling has the potential to enable more patients to be safely treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement who have a low-lying coronary ostium or small SOVd. DLC/d is more predictive of obstruction than coronary ostium height and SOVd.

Initial experiences of young cardiologists with balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation in Turkey: a case series of eleven patients

OBJECTIVE

Surgical aortic valve replacement is the gold standard of treatment for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in all age groups. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), which is performed by senior interventional cardiologists in experienced centers, is an alternative therapy for patients considered to be at high risk for surgery. The aim of this study is to describe the procedural success and short-term results of TAVI performed by young interventional cardiologists in Trabzon, Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients, 10 women and 1 man, who were treated by balloon-expandable TAVI through transfemoral access between January 2012 and April 2012, were included in the study. The clinical and echocardiographic parameters of the patients were compared before and three months after the procedure.

RESULTS

The median calculated logistic EuroSCORE and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of patients were 28% (24%-34%) and 14% (12%-18%), respectively. The median age of the patients was 83 years and ranged from 80-85 years. The mean aortic valve pressure gradient and the aortic valve area were significantly improved after TAVI. The mean aortic valve pressure gradient was 48 (46-53) mmHg before treatment and 20 (16-23) mmHg after treatment (p=0.003). The aortic valve area was 0.65 (0.55-0.70) cm(2) before treatment and 1.7 (1.6-1.8) cm(2) after treatment. The functional status of the patients improved from NYHA class 3-4 to NYHA class 1-2. Intraprocedural mortality was not observed, and the overall 3 month mortality was 9%.

CONCLUSION

TAVI can be performed successfully by young cardiologists. In centers with high patient loads, we encourage young cardiologists to perform TAVI if they have received the appropriate training and to form specialized, cooperating teams with a focus on TAVI.