Objective To summarize the clinical experience and mid-term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation valve-in-valve (TAVI-ViV) for failed surgical bioprostheses in the aortic position. Methods Patients who underwent TAVI-ViV procedures at Tianjin University Chest Hospital between January 2019 and January 2025 were consecutively enrolled. Baseline characteristics, procedural details, and postoperative hemodynamic performance were collected and analyzed. Early postoperative and follow-up valve hemodynamics were evaluated, and surgical experiences were summarized. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was severe prosthetic valve stenosis. Results A total of 45 patients were included, with a mean age of (68.38±7.72) years and an average interval between surgeries of (11.00±3.67) years. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 6.80% (4.29%, 8.21%). The procedural success rate was 97.78% (44/45), with one case aborted due to coronary obstruction. The mean implantation depth was (6.87±3.45) mm, the annular expansion rate ranged from 10% to 40%, and the stent crown compression rate varied from 0% to 42%. The median follow-up duration was 21 months, with 27 patients completing the 2-year follow-up. At 2 years postoperatively, the overall follow-up rate was 92.59% (25/27), and the echocardiographic follow-up rate was 66.67% (18/27). The all-cause mortality rate was 7.41% (2/27). The mean peak aortic valve velocity was 2.96±0.69 m/s, the mean transvalvular gradient was (21.83±10.98) mm Hg, and 3 patients exhibited velocities ≥4 m/s (indicating severe stenosis). The regression analysis showed that the implant depth deviation [β=0.41, SE=0.18, OR=1.51, 95%CI (1.06, 2.30), P=0.024］, the compression rate of the corona [β=2.48, OR=11.93, 95%CI (1.21, 122.40), P=0.034], and the enlargement rate of the annulus [β=1.96, OR=7.13, 95%CI (1.28, 35.50), P=0.026] were the independent predictors of high flow velocity after surgery. Conclusion The optimal implantation depth for TAVI-ViV using a self-expanding valve system is 4 to 5 mm. When the annular expansion rate approaches 10%, hemodynamic performance can be significantly improved. The degree of crown compression in the valve stent is strongly correlated with elevated postoperative transvalvular gradients.
Surgical bioprosthetic valve in the mitral position typically degenerates in 10-15 years, when intervention is required again. In the past, redo surgical mitral valve replacement has been the only treatment choice for such patients suffering from bioprosthetic valve failure, despite the even higher risk associated with redo open-heart surgery. In recent years, transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation in the mitral position has evolved as an reasonable alternative to redo surgery for the treatment of surgical mitral bioprosthetic valve failure. Here we report an 81-year-old female patient with surgical mitral bioprosthetic valve failure, who successfully underwent valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement via the transfemoral-transseptal approach. The procedure was successful owing to comprehensive CT imaging work-up, despite the technical challenges associated with bilateral giant atria and small left ventricle.
Objective To summarize the short-term results of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) in the treatment of bioprosthetic valve failure after aortic valve replacement. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent ViV-TAVI from 2021 to 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The valve function was evaluated by echocardiography before operation, immediately after operation and 3 months after operation. The all-cause death and main complications during hospitalization were analyzed. Results A total of 13 patients were enrolled, including 8 males and 5 females with a mean age of (65.9±8.5) years, and the interval time between aortic valve replacement and ViV-TAVI was (8.5±3.4) years. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score was 10.3%±3.2%. None of the 13 patients had abnormal valve function after operation. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient of aortic valve was decreased (P<0.001), the peak flow velocity of aortic valve was decreased (P<0.001), and the left ventricular ejection fraction was not changed significantly (P=0.480). There were slight perivalvular leakage in 2 patients and slight valve regurgitation in 3 patients. Three months after operation, the mean transvalvular pressure difference and peak flow velocity of aortic valve in 12 patients were significantly decreased compared with those before operation (P≤0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates that ViV-TAVI for the treatment of bioprosthetic valve failure after aortic valve replacement is associated with favorable clinical and functional cardiovascular benefits, the short-term results are satisfactory.
