Objective To evaluate the safety and early-stage efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) using a new generation balloon-expandable (BE) valve by collecting the baseline and follow-up data. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of severe AS patients who received TAVR with BE valve (Sapien 3) in Fuwai Hospital from September 2020 to June 2022. We collected the echocardiographic data as well as follow-up results at post-procedure, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. According to the Sievers classification criteria, the patients were divided into a normal group and a bicuspid aortic valve group. Results Finally 62 patients were collected, including 31 females and 31 males with an average age of 71.44±9.17 years. There was 61 patients implanted successfully with BE valve and only 1 was transferred to surgical replacement. There was no mortality or severe complications. Echocardiographic assessment showed significant reduction of the pressure gradient (P＜0.001) and the effect was consistent to postoperative 12 months. After the treatment of patients with different aortic valve morphology using balloon dilation, the condition of valve stenosis improved. ConclusionThe use of BE valves has good safety and early efficacy in patients with severe AS of different valve morphology.
An 89 years old male patient was admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital due to chest tightness and shortness of breath for half a month. Severe aortic valve stenosis was found in post admission assessment. We proposed to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery. Preoperative evaluation showed severe distortion of the descending aorta. We used the double guide wire technique and a 14F long sheath to assist the stepwise balloon expansion, and successfully completed the valve implantation. For patients with severe tortuous aorta, how to successfully complete transcatheter aortic valve replacement, this case may provide some reference.
In recent years, heart valve disease has been increasing year by year. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the first-line surgical method for patients with severe aortic stenosis due to the advantages of small surgical trauma and rapid postoperative recovery. In the context of the rapid development of TAVR, the postoperative complications of TAVR seriously affect the surgical success rate and patient prognosis. Therefore, the prevention and nursing of complications after TAVR are particularly important. This article will review the assessment, prevention and care of the complications such as arrhythmia, vascular complications, perivalvular leakage, stroke, and acute renal failure after TAVR in combination with the current situation at home and abroad, in order to enhance the clinical medical workers’ understanding of the complications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the operation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), the use of TAVR instruments and the current situation of TAVR-related nursing in our country, to reveal the characteristics of TAVR in various hospitals in our country, and to provide reference data for improving perioperative nursing and industry development of TAVR. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among the head nurses of the cardiac catheterization laboratories of 51 hospitals in China that carried out TAVR operations, with a total of 5 items and 23 questions. The current situation of TAVR operation methods, intraoperative instruments and nursing care in China were analyzed. ResultsThe number of hospitals in China which started conducting TAVR and the beginning year were: 2 in 2010, 1 in 2012, 1 in 2013, 1 in 2015, 11 in 2016, 13 in 2017, 15 in 2018 and 7 in 2019; the number of transfemoral TAVR in 2019: 32 (62.75%) hospitals conducted on less than 20 patients, 7 (13.73%) hospitals 20-<50 patients, 6 (11.76%) hospitals 50-100 patients and 6 (11.76%) hospitals more than 100 patients; TAVR strategies adopted by most hospitals were: general anesthesia (90.20%), the use of vascular sealers (80.39%), backing by cardiac surgeon (74.51%) and using homemade prosthetic valves. Conclusion At present, the number of TAVR carried out in Chinese hospitals is still far behind that of developed countries in Europe and the United States. Our country has adopted the form of multidisciplinary cardiac team cooperation and formed a TAVR nursing model with Chinese characteristics.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the changes of ascending aortic (AA) diameter after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and evaluate the safety and efficacy of TAVR in patients with AA dilation. MethodsWe retrospectively included 87 patients who underwent TAVR at our center from 2016 to 2019. These patients were divided into 2 groups based on the preoperative AA diameter. There were 17 patients in the AA diameter≥45 mm group (including 10 males, aged 74.4±5.6 years), and 70 patients in the AA diameter<45 mm group (including 39 males, aged 75.9±7.0 years). Results The baseline variables were similar between two groups (P>0.05). The overall device success rate was 97.7% (85/87). The median computed tomography (CT) follow-up time was 24.2±11.8 months in patients with AA diameter≥45 mm and 23.0±10.7 months in patients with AA diameter<45 mm, and the median annual dilation rate of AA were 0.36 mm/year and 0.00 mm/year, respectively. No statistical significance was observed between two groups (P>0.05). No adverse aortic events occurred during the follow-up period. ConclusionTAVR is safe and effective in patients with preoperative AA diameter≥45 mm, and the AA diameter remains stable after the procedure. Patients with preoperative AA diameter≥45 mm and AA diameter<45 mm have similar annual dilation rates.
This paper discusses a female patient with severe aortic stenosis, who was preoperatively assessed to be at high risk of left coronary artery occlusion, but developed complete occlusion of the right coronary artery during the procedure of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, leading to hemodynamic disorder. Surgical treatment under emergency cardiopulmonary bypass played a critical role in rescuing the patient.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an effective treatment for aortic stenosis currently, especially in elderly, surgical high-risk, and surgical procedures-intolerant patients with severe aortic stenosis. After several generations of updates in design and function, the self-expandable valves have shown significant efficacy in treating aortic stenosis patients with bicuspid aortic valve, bioprosthetic valve failure or small annulus, and superiority in terms of valve durability, and the favorable hemodynamic outcomes could translate into clinical endpoint benefit. This literature review summarizes the advantages and recent advances of the self-expandable valves in transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
Since the first successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was performed globally in 2002, the TAVR technology has become increasingly mature. With more than a decade of development in China, its application experience, device research and development, procedural improvements, evidence-based medicine, and guideline updates have continuously progressed, leading to a significant increase in the number of procedures conducted. Compared to traditional surgical operations, TAVR has different postoperative monitoring points and principles for the prevention and management of complications, necessitating the formulation of corresponding monitoring and treatment protocols that align with the technical characteristics of the procedure. This guideline is based on clinical practice and incorporates both domestic and international literature as well as the experiences of Fuwai Hospital. It distills and organizes routine postoperative monitoring practices, process optimization, and complication management for TAVR, establishing a set of practical guidelines for postoperative monitoring in China. These guidelines have strong practical value for optimizing postoperative management strategies and preventing and managing complications, which is beneficial for early functional recovery of patients, shortening hospital stays, and reducing complication rates. They provide guidance and reference for domestic peers and support the standardized development and quality improvement of postoperative management for TAVR in China.
With the expanding indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) guidelines, combined valvular disease is often encountered in the clinic, and existing relevant studies have shown that preoperative moderate to severe mitral regurgitation is associated with higher mortality. In these patients, the optimal treatment strategy for TAVR with evidence-based heart failure, TAVR with transcatheter mitral intervention, or staging transcatheter therapy are unclear. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the anatomy and function of the aortic and mitral valves, as well as an in-depth assessment of the patient’s baseline risk profile, are the basis for an individualized approach to treatment. This article will review the results of the relevant research to better help clinicians diagnose and treat relevant patients.