Pre-Operative Imaging Assessment is Mandatory Prior Structural Transcatheter Procedures: a Case of Minimally Invasive Bail-Out Sapien XT Implantation in Mitral Position
Stefano Salizzoni1, Giovanni Marchetto1, Matteo Marro1*, Andrea Baronetto1, Marcella Jorfida2, Maurizio D'Amico2 and Mauro Rinaldi1
1Department of Surgical Sciences, Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Italy
2Department of Medical Sciences, Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Italy
Submission: December 19, 2017; Published: February 20, 2018
*Corresponding author: Matteo Marro, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Citta della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, Corso Bramante 88, 10126 Torino, Italy, Tel: +39-011-6335511; Fax: +39-011-6336130; Email: matteo.marro1@gmail.com
How to cite this article: Stefano S, Giovanni M, Matteo M, Andrea B, Marcella J et.al. Pre-Operative Imaging Assessment is Mandatory Prior Structural Transcatheter Procedures: a Case of Minimally Invasive Bail-Out Sapien XT Implantation in Mitral Position. J Cardiol & Cardiovasc Ther 2018; 9(3): 555763. DOI: 10.19080/JOCCT.2018.09.555763
Abstract
Degeneration of bioprosthesis may occur in elderly and frail patients with an extremely high risk for redo cardiac surgery. Transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures represent a valuable treatment option in high-risk patients [1,2]. However incidental findings may contraindicate the transcatheter procedure. We describe the original case of a patient who was scheduled for transapical mitral valve-in-valve, but due to a left atrial mass underwent mini-invasive surgery with successful direct mitral valve-in-valve delivery and excision of the mass.
Keywords: TAVI; Transcatheter; Mitral; Valve-in-valve; Bioprosthesis failure; Minimally invasive surgery
Introduction
Degeneration of bioprosthesis may occur in elderly and frail patients with an extremely high risk for redo cardiac surgery. Transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures represent a valuable treatment option in high-risk patient population [1-3]. Usually before transcatheter valve procedures, patients are studied with CT-scan and/or transesophageal echocardiography in order to estimate the exact anatomical sizes.
Case Report

A 82-years old man with rheumatic heart disease in 2007 underwent mitral valve replacement with a 27mm Carpentier Perimount bioprosthesis (Edwards Life sciences, Irvine, CA, USA) via sternotomy. In January 2015 the patient was admitted for syncope with dizziness and vomiting and worsening of shortness of breath; CT head scan, ear-nose-throat evaluation and Holter ECG were normal. Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) showed a 43% left ventricle ejection fraction with severe mitral stenosis (mean gradient 14.5mmHg) and moderate regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation with 69mmHg of Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (Figure 1 and Video 1).

Because of age and frailty of the patient, and the history of previously implanted bioprosthesis, a trans-apical mitral valve-in- valve procedure was indicated. Since we knew the precise size of mitral prosthesis, we did not performed any usual imaging (CT- scan or TEE) to estimate the valvular size.


Unexpectedly intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography revealed the presence of a sessile and compact formation of 2.5 x 1cm, situated between the roof of the left atrium and the atrial septum (Figure 2 and Video 2) that was not detectable on transthoracic echocardiography. Because of the risk of embolization the procedure was switched to open heart surgery through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy at the fourth intercostal space [4]. Cardio pulmonary by-pass through the right femoral artery, the right femoral vein and right jugular vein was established. Under ventricular fibrillation the left atrial mass was quickly removed and a 29mm Sapien XT (Edwards Life sciences, Irvine, CA, USA), mounted on the trans apical delivery system, was easily implanted under direct vision inside 27-mm Carpentier Perimount bioprosthesis. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed normal transvalvular gradients and a laminar flow (Figure 3 and Video 3). The histologic exam of the mass confirmed the hypothesis of mixoma. The patient was discharged on 6th post-operative day. The one year echocardiographic follow-up is comparable to the one at discharge (Video 4).



Conclusion
Valve-in-valve implantation in mitral position is becoming an increasingly accepted treatment option for patients deemed unsuitable for redo operation [5-8].
This case demonstrates:
a) The importance of pre-operative imaging assessment (CT thoracic scan and/or transesophageal echocardiography) prior of any structural transcatheter intervention, even if exact anatomical sizes are known; it is not unusual to find other unexpected anatomical surprises.
b) The easiness of direct mitral valve-in-valve procedure, that to date has been described only once [5].
c) The efficacy of the procedure after one year.
References
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