ABSTRACT
We report a case of re-repair mitral valve replacement (MVR) for paravalvular leaks that were unsuitable for catheter treatment. Three years ago, a 67-year-old woman, who had undergone MVR for rheumatic mitral valve replacement at the age of 33 years and undergone re-MVR at the age of 47 years, was admitted with hemolytic anemia. We performed paravalvular leak (PVL) repair directly with 5-0 polypropylene sutures because of calcifications in the annulus. Three years after the operation, she presented with dyspnea on exertion, and transthoracic echocardiography revealed several paravalvular leaks. We consulted with cardiologists in our and other institutions, and these leaks were determined to be unsuitable for catheter treatment. We removed the artificial valve, and found the calcifications and residual cuffs from the first or second artificial valves. These residual cuffs were removed with Cusa® and Harmonic Synergy®. We performed re-repair MVR without reconstruction of the annulus. She was discharged on postoperative day 39 with no complications and did not experience any recurrence of PVL for 2 years. Residual cuffs from the artificial valve may cause PVLs, and Cusa® and Harmonic Synergy® are useful for removing residual cuffs and calcifications.
ABSTRACT
Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valid option for patients with severe aortic stenosis judged to be at high surgical risk. For this procedure, there is no agreement on the appropriate type of anesthesia. Sedation offers several advantages, but general anesthesia (GA) leads to less paravalvular leaks (PVLs) probably because of the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. The objective was to compare the incidence of PVL among patients receiving conscious sedation (TAVI-S) and patients receiving GA (TAVI-GA). We made the hypothesis that a referral center does not necessitate TAVI-GA to reduce the incidence of moderate-to-severe PVL. Aim: The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate-to-severe PVL at 30 days after the implantation. Design and Setting: This study design was a retrospective observational trial in a university hospital. Methods: The TAVI-S group underwent the procedure under conscious sedation. In the TAVI-GA group, an endotracheal tube and a TEE probe were inserted. After the valve deployment, PVL was assessed by hemodynamic and fluoroscopic measurements in the TAVI-S group. TEE was also used in the TAVI-GA group to evaluate the presence of PVL. When PVL was moderate or severe according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria. Results: TAVI-S and TAVI-GA were accomplished in 168 (67.5%) and 81 (32.5%) patients, respectively. Our results show no difference between the two groups regarding the incidence and grade of PVL. Conclusion: Performing TAVI under GA with TEE guidance is not associated with a lower incidence of moderate and severe PVL.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To explore the clinical features and the value of echocardiographic examination of paravalvular leaks after surgical aortic valve replacement. Methods: A total of 123 patients (aged from 12-74 [mean age 45 ± 13] years) hospitalized in our hospital from 2002-03 to 2017-03 because of paravalvular leaks after surgical aortic valve replacement were included in this study. The first operation was performed in our hospital or other hospitals. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of paravalvular leaks by transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography. Among them, 28 cases received non-surgical treatment and paravalvular leaks were corrected by reoperation in 95 cases. Results: Diastolic paravalvular regurgitation was detected by color doppler echocardiography in most patients, and dehiscence between the artificial valve and adjacent tissue was evidenced by two-dimensional echocardiography in some patients. The causes of paravalvular leaks, defined by imaging modalities including echocardiography, operative findings and pathological results included: infective endocarditis in 45 patients, Bechet's syndrome in 23 patients, Takayasu arteritis in 4 patients, suspected diagnosis of immune system diseases in 5 patients, aortic dissection in 2 patients, suspected operative technical reasons in 3 patients, and unknown in 41 patients. There were 13 deaths in this cohort, 5 patients gave up the further treatment and self-discharged due to the serious disease conditions. During follow-up, mild degree or above paravalvular leaks were found in 27 patients, 1 patient suffered from heart failure, improvement or recovery were seen in 55 patients.Conclusions: The paravalvular leaks with significant clinical consequence is an important complication after surgical aortic valve replacement, and most patients need to be treated with reoperation. Despite reoperation, the recurrence rate remains high and the prognosis is poor. Infective endocarditis is the most common cause of paravalvular leaks in prosthetic aortic valves, followed by non-specific vasculitis. Echocardiography plays an important role on diagnosis and monitoring in these patients.
ABSTRACT
Paravalvular leaks (PVLs) often occur after surgical valve replacement. Surgical reoperation has been the gold standard of therapy for PVLs, but it carries a higher operative risk and an increased incidence of re-leaks compared to the initial surgery. In high surgical risk patients with appropriate geometries, transcatheter closure of PVLs could be an alternative to redo-surgery. Here, we report a case of successful staged transcatheter closures of a fistula tract between the aorta and right atrium, and mitral PVLs after mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty.