Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe regurgitation in native and degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated transcatheter aortic valve Implantation (TAVI) in high-risk patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) in native or degenerated bioprosthetic valves.

BACKGROUND: TAVI has emerged as a viable treatment modality for severe aortic stenosis in inoperable or high-risk patients. The use of TAVI for treatment of severe AR has remained largely unexplored.

METHODS: Eight patients (age 79.6 years ± 5.75 years) with severe AR underwent TAVI at six tertiary hospitals between April 2010 and May 2011. All patients were considered to be at prohibitive risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).TAVI with the nitinol based Core Valve bioprosthesis (CRS) (Medtronic) was performed in all patients.

RESULTS: Transfemoral access was used in all cases. Procedural success was obtained in all cases without any intraprocedural complications. There was no in hospital or 30-day mortality. There were no cases of atrioventricular blocks requiring permanent pacemaker implantation. At a mean follow up of 15.5 ± 15 months; all patients had improvement in New York Heart Association functional class. Follow up echocardiography revealed improved or stable left ventricular ejection fraction and optimal device function in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS: TAVI with the CRS bioprosthesis is feasible and effective in appropriately selected cases of severe aortic regurgitation in native and bioprosthetic aortic valves.