ObjectivesTo investigate simple assess method of the degree of low transvalvular gradient aortic stenosis patients with impaired left ventricular function and to investigate aortic valve replacement indications, short and mid-term outcome of this kind of patients. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 21 low-gradient patients with impaired left ventricular function in our hospital from January 2011 through May 2014. There were 15 males and 6 females aged 41-66 (54.6± 10.7) years with mean aortic transvalvular gradient less than 40 mm Hg and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%. ResultsIn response to dobutamine echocardiography stress test, 20 patients underwent aortic valve replacement. The result of intraoperative pathology showed 11 patients were with bicuspid aortic valve malformation, 4 patients with degenerative changes, 4 patients with rheumatic disease. During the same period, 3 patients underwent atrial fibrillation ablation, 1 patient with ascending aorta replacement, 2 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting, 1 patient with mitral valvuloplasty. One patient died of multiple organ failure on the fourth day after operation. The remaining patients recovered. The patients were followed up for 3 to 37 months after operation. Heart function of majority improved to gradeⅠorⅡin 3 months after surgery. The result of echocardiogram showed prosthetic valve function was good and LVEF increased (preoperative 35.7%± 8.2% vs. postoperative 49.4%± 7.2%). One patient suffered sudden death of unknown cause in the 11th months after operation. ConclusionsFor patients whose dobutamine echocardiography stress test displayed with true severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular contractile reserve capacity, after aortic valve replacement and relief of the obstruction, the left ventricular afterload decreases significantly, the left ventricular function also improves, LVEF and the quality of life improve significantly after operation.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a common theraputic option for aortic stenosis, but the evidence for precise anatomy for TAVR is accumulating. This paper presents the case of an 71-year-old female patient who had an extremely high risk of coronary obstruction due to both coronary ostia lying too low. The patient underwent TAVR with the help of coronary protection successfully. During the procedure, the patient was protected with wires only for both coronaries. After deployment, angiofluoroscopy suggested that chimney stenting should be applied for left coronary. The whole procedure was unenventful and both coronaries were seen.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a reasonable alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at a medium or high risk from surgery, and it’s gradually extended to low-risk groups. The safety of surgery is confirmed with the advancement of technology and the improvement of surgical instruments, but surgical complications are still common. Cardiovascular collapse is the leading cause of death during the surgery and not rare. This article reported a case of cardiovascular collapse during TAVR who were successfully rescued, while literature review on the causes and treatment of cardiovascular collapse were made.
Objective To systematically evaluate the impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on the prognosis of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods A computerized search was conducted in CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases from inception to June 2023 for cohort studies on the prognostic impact of PH in severe AS patients undergoing TAVR. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. Stata 17.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 16 cohort studies were included, all with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scores≥7. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with AS patients without PH, those with PH had significantly higher 1-year all-cause mortality after TAVR [OR=2.10, 95%CI (1.60, 2.75), P<0.01], 30-day all-cause mortality [OR=2.09, 95%CI (1.54, 2.83), P<0.01], and cardiovascular mortality [OR=1.49, 95%CI (1.18, 1.90), P<0.01]. The differences between the two groups in major bleeding events, stroke, myocardial infarction, pacemaker implantation, and postoperative renal failure were not statistically significant. For outcome indicators with significant heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were performed based on PH measurement methods, diagnostic criteria, and different types of PH. The results showed that most subgroup combined results were consistent with the overall findings and that heterogeneity was significantly reduced. Conclusion PH significantly increases the 30-day all-cause mortality, 1-year all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR.
Nowadays, aortic bioprostheses are used more and more widely in clinical practice, but the valve will experience structural valve degradation over time, and eventually lose its function, which is valve failure. Valve failure has become a significant challenge for aortic valve replacement and especially limits the expansion of indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This review focuses on the current status and relevant evidence on the definition, risk factors, epidemiological characteristics, diagnosis and evaluation, treatment strategies of aortic bioprostheses failure. The purpose is to provide a basis for a more comprehensive understanding of aortic bioprostheses failure, finding better coping strategies and further improving the long-term durability of the valve.
ObjectiveTo investigate clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR)for surgical treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS)and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). MethodsClinical data of 29 patients with severe AS and LVD (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.50)who underwent AVR in Changhai Hospital between January 2000 and December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with mitral stenosis were excluded from this study. There were 22 male and 7 female patients with their age of 14-76 (56.3±12.9)years. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and echocardiographic findings were compared to assess AVR effects. Possible risk factors affecting postoperative recovery of left ventricular function were analyzed according to postoperative LVEF changes. ResultsOne patient died within 30 days after AVR. In the other 28 patients, postoperative aortic pressure gradient (APG)decreased from 97.6±25.1 mm Hg to 25.0±9.7 mm Hg, while LVEF increased from 41%±6% to 56%±11%. Postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic/systolic diameter/volume all significantly improved (all P < 0.001). ConclusionsAVR is an effective treatment for patients with severe AS and LVD. Left ventricular function improves significantly in most patients after AVR. Patients with a less dilated left ventricle may have a better LVEF recovery.
This case was a 58-year-old female patient with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and severe aortic stenosis. Upon admission, she had severe heart failure and severe edema of both lower extremities unable to lie flat. After cardiac function adjustment and under general anesthesia, she underwent a one-stop operation of PDA occlusion and transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve replacement due to the severe aortic arch stenosis which brought high risk in transfemoral artery approach. Her symptoms improved significantly, and she was discharged only 6 days after operation. At the follow-up 3 months after operation, the aortic valve transvalvular pressure gradient improved significantly, the ductus arteriosus murmur disappeared, and the patient recovered well.
Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of general anesthesia with tracheal intubation in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and the key points in anesthetic management. Methods Twenty-five patients with aortic stenosis treated by TAVI in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between September 2012 and June 2013 were included in this study. General anesthesia with tracheal intubation was chosen. We recorded and analyzed the hemodynamics, blood gas, oxygen saturation data before and after anesthesia induction, before surgery, during rapid ventricular pacing, before and after aortic valve implantation. Besides, the incidence of perioperative complications and 30-day mortality were also recorded. Results All the 25 patients underwent the implantation surgery successfully. Two patients had the second implantation surgery due to moderate reflux. All the subjects in this study tolerated general anesthesia well without any anesthesia-related complications. There were 19 cases of newly developed or aggravated heart blocks, 7 of permanent pace maker, 2 of perioperative hemorrhage, 2 of cerebral vascular events, and 1 death case. Conclusioins General anesthesia with tracheal intubation can be utilized safely in patients undergoing TAVI. TAVI is a challenging technique in need of precise collaborations of multi-disciplines, in which anesthetists should play more as a leader in evaluation and decision-making during the surgery.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a mature technology has been widely applied in Western countries. In China, with the first two domestic prostheses being approved for commercial use, the technology now is expecting a fast development. In this article, we reviewed the features of Chinese aortic stenosis patients, the early Chinese experience of TAVR, the application of domestic prostheses and remaining problems.
Aortic stenosis accounts for a large proportion of valvular heart disease in China. This article described an unusual case of severe aortic stenosis with severe cardiopulmonary decompensation treated by emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Preoperative assessment was performed by transesophageal echocardiography. The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation team was informed to be ready. During the operation, no obvious perivalve leakage was observed after valve released. The transvalvular pressure gradient decreased to 7 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).The patient’s symptoms were completely relieved after the operation, and no adverse events occurred during the hospitalization. After discharge, color Doppler echocardiography showed that stenosis was eliminated, cardiac function was improved, no significant perivalvular leakage was observed, and pulmonary hypertension reduced to moderate. The success of this operation confirmed the efficacy of emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and showed that after a rigorous evaluation, emergency transcatheter aortic valve replacement may be a reasonable choice for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.