Experiences of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation with Severe Aortic Stenosis

Özet

Introduction: Aortic stenosis is the most common and dangerous native valve disease and it affects 2-4% of the patients over 65 years of age. However, the surgical procedure leads the patients to undergo great risks, especially in the elderly pop-ulation and in patients with concomitant disorders. In this retrospective study, we described and analyzed our experience on TAVI procedures performed in our hospital.Methods: After the approval of the Ethics Committee to conduct this study, patients’ files from June 2012 to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively and first 100 patients’ demographic data, STS, EuroSCORE, aortic valve pressure gradients, the methods of anesthesia and monitoring and postoperative complications were collected. All of the data were expressed as mean±standard deviation.Results: Among 100 remaining patients, on whom data were collected, mean age was found as 78.6±6.7 years and 65 of the patients were female. The mean pulmonary artery pressure was 46.9±14.2 mmHg and mean pressure gradient (PG) was 48.8±10.7 mmHg, whereas the peak PG was 75.5±17.1 mmHg before the TAVI procedure; left ventricular ejection fraction be-fore the TAVI procedure was calculated as 51.2±14.2%. Analysis of the patient charts revealed a mean value for STS as 7.8±4.7 and a mean value for EuroSCORE as 34.9±14.1%. In all patients, a probe for transesophageal echocardiography was inserted for real-time monitoring, together with a temporary pacemaker. Implanted valves were expandable CoreValve in 56%, and the Edwards Sapiens XT Valve in 43%. Following completion of the procedure, final femoral angiography was performed to verify that there were no vascular injuries. The patients were transferred coronary ICU after extubation. During postoperative period, minor complications were encountered in 11% of the patients.Discussion and Conclusion: The findings showed that TAVI was a procedure with a low rate of complications in patients with severe aortic stenosis when the steps of the procedure had been followed meticulously, according to the results of our retrospective study. The anesthesiologist should be a key member of the staff prior, during, and following the intervention. The ongoing prospective trials and retrospective research together with the debate on indications, type of the anesthesia, location where the procedure is held will shed light on the evolvement of this relatively novel technique.