Current knowledge for the risk factors of early permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement and what is next for the primary prevention?

In this editorial,we comprehensively summarized the preoperative risk factors of early permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)among patients with severe aortic stenosis from several renowned clinical studies and focused on the primary prevention of managing the modifiable factors,e.g.,paroxysmal atrial fibrillation before the TAVR.

Risk of permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement:Which factors are most relevant?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has emerged as a formidable treatment option for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis ahead of surgical aortic valve replacement.The encouraging results from large randomized controlled trials has resulted in an exponential rise in the use of TAVR even in the low-risk patients.However,this is not without challenges.Need for permanent pacemaker(PPM)post-TAVR remains the most frequent and clinically relevant challenge.Naturally,identifying risk factors which predispose an individual to develop high grade conduction block post-TAVR is important.Various demographic factors,electrocardiographic features,anatomic factors and procedural characteristics have all been linked to the development of advanced conduction block and need for PPM following TAVR.Amongst these electrophysiological variables,most notably a prolonged QRS>120 ms regardless of the type of conduction block seems to be one of the strongest predictors on logistic regression models.The index study by Nwaedozie et al highlights that patients requiring PPM post-TAVR had higher odds of having a baseline QRS>120 ms and were more likely to be having diabetes mellitus that those who did not require PPM.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk young population:A double edge sword?

Since the advent of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in 2002,it has now become the default interventional strategy for symptomatic patients presenting with severe aortic stenosis,particularly in intermediate to highsurgical risk patients.In 2019,the United States Food and Drug Administration approved TAVR in low-risk patients based on two randomized trials.However,these breakthrough trials excluded patients with certain unfavorable anatomies and odd profiles.While currently there is no randomized study of TAVR in young patients,it may be preferred by the young population given the benefits of early discharge,shorter hospital stay,and expedite recovery.Nonetheless,it is important to ruminate various factors including lifetime expectancy,risk of pacemaker implantation,and the need for future valve or coronary interventions in young cohorts before considering TAVR in these patients.Furthermore,the data on long-term durability(>10 years)of TAVR is still unknown given most of the procedures were initially performed in the high or prohibitive surgical risk population.Thus,this editorial aims to highlight the importance of considering an individualized approach in young patients with consideration of various factors including lifetime expectancy while choosing TAVR against surgical aortic valve replacement.

Rates, predictors, and causes of readmission after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is a revolutionary procedure for severe aortic stenosis.The coexistence of chronic kidney disease(CKD)and TAVR introduces a challenge that significantly impacts patient outcomes.AIM To define readmission rates,predictors,and causes after TAVR procedure in CKD stage 1-4 patients.METHODS We used the national readmission database 2018 and 2020 to look into readmission rates,causes and predictors after TAVR procedure in patients with CKD stage 1-4.RESULTS Out of 24758 who underwent TAVR and had CKD,7892(32.4%)patients were readmitted within 90 days,and had higher adjusted odds of being females(adjusted odds ratio:1.17,95%CI:1.02-1.31,P=0.02)with longer length of hospital stay>6 days,and more comorbidities including but not limited to diabetes mellitus,anemia,and congestive heart failure(CHF).CONCLUSION Most common causes of readmission included CHF(18.0%),sepsis,and complete atrioventricular block.Controlling readmission predictors with very close followup is warranted to prevent such high rate of readmission.

Pacemaker post transcatheter aortic valve replacement:A multifactorial risk?

Pacemaker post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement is related to multifactorial risk.Nwaedozie et al brought to the body of evidence electrocardiogram and clinical findings.However,procedural characteristics have at least as much impact on the final need for a permanent pacemaker and potentially on the pacing rate.In this regard,long-term follow-up and understanding of the impact of long-term stimulation is of utmost importance.

Novel predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND Conduction and rhythm abnormalities requiring permanent pacemakers(PPM)are short-term complications following transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR),and their clinical outcomes remain conflicting.Potential novel predictors of post-TAVR PPM,like QRS duration,QTc prolongation,and supraventricular arrhythmias,have been poorly studied.AIM To evaluate the effects of baseline nonspecific interventricular conduction delay and supraventricular arrhythmia on post-TAVR PPM requirement and determine the impact of PPM implantation on clinical outcomes.METHODS RESULTS Out of the 357 patients that met inclusion criteria,the mean age was 80 years,188(52.7%)were male,and 57(16%)had a PPM implantation.Baseline demographics,valve type,and cardiovascular risk factors were similar except for type II diabetes mellitus(DM),which was more prevalent in the PPM cohort(59.6%vs 40.7%;P=0.009).The PPM cohort had a significantly higher rate of pre-procedure right bundle branch block,prolonged QRS>120 ms,prolonged QTc>470 ms,and supraventricular arrhythmias.There was a consistently significant increase in the odds ratio(OR)of PPM implantation for every 20 ms increase in the QRS duration above 100 ms:QRS 101-120[OR:2.44;confidence intervals(CI):1.14-5.25;P=0.022],QRS 121-140(OR:3.25;CI:1.32-7.98;P=0.010),QRS 141-160(OR:6.98;CI:3.10-15.61;P<0.001).After model adjustment for baseline risk factors,the OR remained significant for type II DM(aOR:2.16;CI:1.18-3.94;P=0.012),QRS>120(aOR:2.18;CI:1.02-4.66;P=0.045)and marginally significant for supraventricular arrhythmias(aOR:1.82;CI:0.97-3.42;P=0.062).The PPM cohort had a higher adjusted OR of heart failure(HF)hospitalization(aOR:2.2;CI:1.1-4.3;P=0.022)and nonfatal myocardial infarction(MI)(aOR:3.9;CI:1.1-14;P=0.031)without any difference in mortality(aOR:1.1;CI:0.5-2.7;P=0.796)at one year.CONCLUSION Pre-TAVR type II DM and QRS duration>120,regardless of the presence of bundle branch blocks,are predictors of post-TAVR PPM.At 1-year post-TAVR,patients with PPM have higher odds of HF hospitalization and MI.

Health-related quality of life following transcatheter aortic valve implantation using transaortic, transfemoral approaches and surgical aortic valve replacement-a single-center study

Objective To evaluate short- and long-term changes in quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to assess differences in patient QoL when using the TAVI transaortic (TAVI TAo) approach compared with the transfemoral approach (TAVI TF) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Methods Ninety-seven patients were assessed. Thirty-two patients underwent TAVI TAo, 31 underwent TAVI TF and 34 patients underwent SAVR. QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire at baseline, after one month and one year. Results Mean patient age was 80 years (range, 61–92 years) and the mean logistic EuroSCORE was 12.45%(range, 1.39%?78.98%). Declared health state at baseline was significantly lower in TAVI TF (P < 0.001) and after one month there were no differences between the three groups (P = 0.99). After one year, SAVR patient results of the EQ-5D-3L index value were lower in comparison to both TAVI patient groups (P < 0.05). The analysis also showed significant differences between the results of EQ-5D-3L index value over the one month and one year follow-up (TAVI TAo, P < 0.001;TAVI TF, P < 0.05;SAVR, P < 0.05). In all groups, the values significantly increased after one-month and one-year of follow-up in comparison to baseline value. Significant differences were also demonstrated between Visual Analogue Scale values (VAS). Conclusions A significant improvement in QoL was observed in all three patient groups. Regardless of the TAVI approach, EQ-5D-3L and VAS values were significantly increased after one-month and one-year follow up;the SAVR patients however, reported lower health status when compared to the TAVI patients.

Prediction of permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement:The role of machine learning

BACKGROUND Atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker(PPM)implantation is an important complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR).Application of machine learning could potentially be used to predict preprocedural risk for PPM.AIM To apply machine learning to be used to predict pre-procedural risk for PPM.METHODS A retrospective study of 1200 patients who underwent TAVR(January 2014-December 2017)was performed.964 patients without prior PPM were included for a 30-d analysis and 657 patients without PPM requirement through 30 d were included for a 1-year analysis.After the exclusion of variables with near-zero variance or≥50%missing data,167 variables were included in the random forest gradient boosting algorithm(GBM)optimized using 5-fold cross-validations repeated 10 times.The receiver operator curve(ROC)for the GBM model and PPM risk score models were calculated to predict the risk of PPM at 30 d and 1 year.RESULTS Of 964 patients included in the 30-d analysis without prior PPM,19.6%required PPM post-TAVR.The mean age of patients was 80.9±8.7 years.42.1%were female.Of 657 patients included in the 1-year analysis,the mean age of the patients was 80.7±8.2.Of those,42.6%of patients were female and 26.7%required PPM at 1-year post-TAVR.The area under ROC to predict 30-d and 1-year risk of PPM for the GBM model(0.66 and 0.72)was superior to that of the PPM risk score(0.55 and 0.54)with a P value<0.001.CONCLUSION The GBM model has good discrimination and calibration in identifying patients at high risk of PPM post-TAVR.

Change in quality of life after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and aortic valve replacement surgery in Australian patients aged ≥ 75 years： the effects of EuroSCORE and patient operability

Objective To determine the extent to which differences in generic quality of life （QOL） between transcatheter aortic valve implanta- tion （TAVI） and surgical aortic valve replacement （AVR） patients explained by EuroSCORE and heart-team operability assessment. Methods A total of 146 high-risk patients with EuroSCORE 〉 6 and aged 〉 75 years underwent TAVI （n = 80） or aortic valve replacement （n = 66） between February 2010 and July 2013. A total of 75 patients also completed preoperative and six month SF-12 QOL measures. Analyses examined incident major morbidity, compared six month QOL between groups adjusted for EUroSCORE and operability, and quantified rates of clinically significant QOL improvement and deterioration. Results The AVR group required longer ventilation （〉 24 h） （TAVI 5.0% vs. AVR 20.6%, P = 0.004） and more units of red blood cells [TAVI 0 （0-1） vs. AVR 2 （0-3）, P = 0.01]. New renal failure was higher in TAVI （TAVI 5.0% vs. AVR 0%, P = 0.06）. TAVI patients reported significantly lower vitality （P = 0.01） by comparison to AVR patients, however these findings were no longer significant after adjustment for operability. In both procedures, clinically significant QOL improvement was common [range 25.0% （general health） - 62.9% （physical role）] whereas deterioration in QOL occurred less frequently [range 9.3% （physical role） - 33.3% （mental health）]. Conclusions Clinically significant improvement and deterioration in QOL was evident at six months in high risk elderly aortic valve replacement patients. Overall QOL did not differ between TAVI and AVR once operability was taken into consideration.

Ascending aortic dilatation rate after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic stenosis: A multidetector computed tomography follow-up study

BACKGROUND: Current data is lacking about the progression of ascending aortic dilatation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR) in aortic stenosis(AS) patients with bicuspid aortic valve(BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve(TAV). This study aims to assess the ascending aortic dilatation rate(mm/year) after TAVR in patients with BAV versus TAV using a multidetector computed tomography(MDCT) fol ow-up and to determine the predictors of ascending aortic dilatation rate.METHODS: Severe AS patients undergoing TAVR from March 2013 to March 2018 at our center with MDCT follow-ups were included. BAV and TAV were identified using baseline MDCT. Baseline and follow-up MDCT images were analyzed,and the diameters of ascending aorta were measured. Study end point is ascending aortic dilatation rate(mm/year). Furthermore,factors predicting ascending aortic dilatation rate were also investigated.RESULTS: Two hundred and eight patients were included,comprised of 86 BAV and 122 TAV patients. Five,4,3,2,and 1-year MDCT follow-ups were achieved in 7,9,30,46,and 116 patients. The ascending aortic diameter was significantly increased after TAVR in both BAV group(43.7±4.4 mm vs. 44.0±4.5 mm;P<0.001) and TAV group(39.1±4.8 mm vs. 39.7±5.1 mm;P<0.001). However,no difference of ascending aortic dilatation rate was found between BAV and TAV group(0.2±0.8 mm/year vs. 0.3±0.8 mm/year,P=0.592). Multivariate linear regression revealed paravalvular leakage(PVL) grade was independently associated with ascending aortic dilatation rate in the whole population and BAV group,but not TAV group. No aortic events occurred during follow-ups.CONCLUSION: Ascending aortic size continues to grow after TAVR in BAV patients,but the dilatation rate is mild and comparable to that of TAV patients. PVL grade is associated with ascending aortic dilatation rate in BAV patients post-TAVR.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation:Current status and future perspectives

Although surgical aortic valve replacement is the standard therapy for severe aortic stenosis(AS),about one third of patients are considered inoperable due to unacceptable surgical risk.Under medical treatment alone these patients have a very poor prognosis with a mortality rate of 50%at 2 years.Transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI)has been used in these patients,and has shown robust results in the only randomized clinical trial of severe AS treatment performed so far.In this review,we will focus on the two commercially available systems:Edwards SAPIEN valve and CoreValve Revalving system.Both systems have demonstrated success rates of over 90%with 30-d mortality rates below 10%in the most recent transfemoral TAVI studies.Moreover,long-term studies have shown that the valves have good haemodynamic performance.Some studies are currently exploring the non-inferiority of TAVI procedures vs conventional surgery in high-risk patients,and long-term clinical results of the percutaneous valves.In this article we review the current status of TAVI including selection of patients,a comparison of available prostheses,results and complications of the procedure,clinical outcomes,and future perspectives.

Cardiac rehabilitation and mid-term follow-up after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background Evaluation of patient outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation （TAVI） has usually been based on survival and clinical improvement. Studies on quality of life are limited, and data from comprehensive assessments after the procedure are lacking. Methods Sixty patients referred for cardiac rehabilitation after TAVI underwent in-hospital and after-discharge multidimensional assessments to evaluate clinical, functional, and nutritional statuses, degree of autonomy, cognitive impairment, depression and quality of life. Results On admission to rehabilitation, approximately half of the patients had severe functional impairment and dependence for basic activities of daily living. During their hospital stay, one-third of the patients suffered significant clinical complications and two had to be transferred to the implantation center. Despite this, the overall outcome was very good. All of the remaining patients were clinically stable at discharge and functional status, autonomy and quality of life were improved in most. During a mean follow-up of 540 days （range： 192-738 days）, five patients died from noncardiac causes, three were hospitalized for cardiac events, and nine for non cardiac reasons. Functional status and autonomy remained satisfactory in the majority of patients and most continued to live independently. Conclusions Patients referred for rehabilitation after TAVI are often very frail, with a high grade of functional impairment, dependence on others and high risk of clinical complications. During a rehabilitation programme, based on a multidimensional assessment and intervention, most patients showed significant improvement in functional status, quality of life, and autonomy, which remained stable in the majority of subjects during mid-term follow-up.

Value of a comprehensive geriatric assessment for predicting one-year outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results from the CGA-TAVI multicentre registry

Background In a three-month report from the CGA-TAVI registry, we found the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) to be of value for predicting short-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In the present analysis, we examined the association of these tools with outcomes up to one year post-TAVI. Methods CGA-TAVI is an international, observational registry of geriatric patients undergoing TAVI. Patients were assessed using the MPI and SPPB. Efficacy of baseline values and any postoperative change for predicting outcome were established using logistic regression. Kaplan- Meier analysis was carried out for each comprehensive geriatric assessment tool, with survival stratified by risk category. Results One year after TAVI, 14.1% of patients deceased, while 17.4% met the combined endpoint of death and/or non-fatal stroke, and 37.7% the combined endpoint of death and/or hospitalisation and/or non-fatal stroke. A high-risk MPI score was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (aOR = 36.13, 95% CI: 2.77–470.78, P = 0.006) and death and/or non-fatal stroke (aOR = 10.10, 95% CI: 1.48–68.75, P = 0.018). No significant associations were found between a high-risk SPPB score and mortality or two main combined endpoints. In contrast to a worsening SPPB, an aggravating MPI score at three months post-TAVI was associated with an increased risk of death and/or non-fatal stoke at one year (aOR = 95.16, 95% CI: 3.41–2657.01). Conclusions The MPI showed value for predicting the likelihood of death and a combination of death and/or non-fatal stroke by one year after TAVI in elderly patients.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement and stroke： a comprehensive review

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation （TAVR） has emerged as an alternative, rapidly evolving treatment option for patients with se- vere aortic stenosis and high surgical risk. Stroke is a devastating complication being confined mainly in the periprocedural and 30-day pe- riod following TAVR, with a lower and relatively constant frequency thereafter. Early stroke is mainly due to debris embolization during the procedure, whereas later events are associated with patient specific factors. Despite the fact that the rate of clinical stroke has been constantly decreasing compared to initial TAVR experience, modern neuro-imaging with MRI suggests that new ischemic lesions post-TAVR are almost universal. The impact of the latter is largely unknown. However, they seem to correlate with a reduction in neurocognitive function. Because TAVR is set to expand its indication to lower surgical-risk patients, stroke prophylaxis during and after TAVR becomes of paramount importance. Based on clinical and pathophysiological evidence, three lines of research are actively employed towards this direction： improvement in valve and delivery system technology with an aim to reduce manipulations and contact with the calcified aortic arch and native valve, antithrombotic therapy, and embolic protection devices. Careful patient selection, design of the procedure, and tailored antithrombotic strategies respecting the bleeding risks of this fragile population constitute the main defense against stroke following TAVR.

Evaluation of CA125 and NT-proBNP values in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background Transcatheter aortic valve implantation （TAVI） is a minimally invasive, emerging therapy in surgically high risk, or in- operable patients. Parameters used for risk classification have some deficiencies in the selection of patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of TAVI on carbohydrate antigen 125 （CA125） and N-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） as biomarkers that have been used frequently in recent years, and also the relationship of these biomarkers to prognosis. Methods ＆ Results Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was practiced on 31 patients in this study. Then, CA125 and NT-proBNP levels studied in patients prior to and after the TAVI were evaluated. The patients were also grouped in accordance with their left ventrieular ejection fraction （LVEF） and CA125 levels （LVEF 〉 40% and 〈 40%; CA125 ≤ 35 U/L and 〉 35 U/L）. The TAVI operation was successfully performed in all patients. There was no in-hospital mortality and substantial improvement in functional capacity was detected at follow ups. In addition, a statistically significant decrease was detected in post-TAVI CA 125 and NT-proBNP levels of all patients （CA 125 83.8 ± 18.1 U/L vs. 64.3 ±14.2 U/L, P = 0.008; NT-proBNP： 4633.6± 627.6 pg/mL vs. 2866.3±536.8 pg/mL, P 〈 0.001）. In groups divided according to the CA125 levels, there was also statistically significant post-TAVI decline in CA125 levels. Within CA125 〉 35 U/L and LVEF 〈 40% groups, the permanent need for a pacemaker was required in one （3.2%） patient and mortality was observed in two （6.4%） patients after TAVI at follow up. Conclusions The results show that TAVI can be performed effectively and reliably in patients with high baseline levels of CA125 and NT-proBNP. These biomarkers are reduced substantially with TAVI, while high biomarker levels are associated with undesired events, and certainly, these biomarkers can be used for risk classifications in patient selection for TAVI.

Fluid-Structure Interaction in Problems of Patient Specific Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation with and Without Paravalvular Leakage Complication

Paravalvular Leakage(PVL)has been recognized as one of the most dangerous complications in relation to Transcathether Aortic Valve Implantation(TAVI)activities.However,data available in the literature about Fluid Structure Interaction(FSI)for this specific problem are relatively limited.In the present study,the fluid and structure responses of the hemodynamics along the patient aorta model and the aortic wall deformation are studied with the aid of numerical simulation taking into account PVL and 100%TAVI valve opening.In particular,the aorta without valve(AWoV)is assumed as the normal condition,whereas an aorta with TAVI 26 mm for 100%Geometrical Orifice Area(GOA)is considered as the patient aorta with PVL complication.A 3D patient-specific aorta model is elaborated using the MIMICS software.Implantation of the identical TAVI valve of Edward SAPIEN XT 26(Edwards Lifes ciences,Irvine,California)is considered.An undersized 26 mm TAVI valve with 100%valve opening is selected to mimic the presence of PVL at the aortic annulus.The present research indicates that the existence of PVL can increase the blood velocity,pressure drop and WSS in comparison to normal conditions,thereby paving the way to the development of recirculation flow,thrombus formation,aorta wall collapse,aortic rupture and damage of endothelium.

Transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis （AS） is the most common type of valvular heart disease in the elderly. Surgical aortic valve replacement （SAVR） has been the standard practice for treating severe, symptomatic AS, but recently new treatment options have emerged, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement （TAVR） is now an established treatment option in patients at high surgical risk. In this review, we focus on recent developments and compare the two treatment methods in specific populations in terms of efficacy and safety （e.g., in patients with history of prior thoracic surgery, type of anesthesia employed, access site used or need for permanent pacing）. The impact of comorbidities （pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension and obesity paradox）, the cost-effectiveness of TAVR vs. SAVR and advances in transcatheter valve technology as well as issues that merit further investigation are further discussed. Moreover, outcomes and complications of TAVR in patients of different risk category （extremely high, high, intermediate and low risk） are analyzed. We strongly believe that during the following years, TAVR may evolve as the treatment of choice in a broader group of patients with symptomatic AS and beyond those with intermediate and high-risk features.

Clinical and prognostic implications of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

AIM: To study a cohort of consecutive patients under-going transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and compare the outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients vs patients in sinus rhythm (SR). METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing TAVI in our hospital were included. The AF group comprised patients in AF at the time of TAVI or with history of AF, and were compared with the SR group. Procedural, echocardiographic and follow-up variables were compared. Likewise, the CHA 2 DS 2-VASC stroke risk score and HAS-BLED bleeding risk score and antithrombotic treatment at discharge in AF patients were compared with that in SR patients. RESULTS: From a total of 34 patients undergoing TAVI, 17 (50%) were allocated to the AF group, of whom 15 (88%) were under chronic oral anticoagulation. Patients in the AF group were similar to those in the SR group except for a trend (P = 0.07) for a higher logistic EuroSCORE (28% vs 19%), and a higher prevalence of hypertension (82% vs 53%) and chronic renal failure (17% vs 0%). Risk of both stroke and bleeding was high in the AF group (mean CHA 2 DS 2-VASC 4.3, mean HAS-BLED 2.9). In the AF group, treatment at discharge included chronic oral anticoagulation in all except one case, and in association with an antiplatelet drug in 57% of patients. During a mean follow-up of 11 mo (maximum 32), there were only two strokes, none of them during the peri-procedural period: one in the AF group at 30 mo and one in the SR group at 3 mo. There were no statistical differences in procedural success, and clinical outcome (survival at 1 year 81% vs 74% in AF and SR groups, respectively, P = NS). CONCLUSION: Patients in AF undergoing TAVI show a trend to a higher surgical risk. However, in our cohort, patients in AF did not have a higher stroke rate compared to the SR group, and the prognosis was similar in both groups.

Percutaneous management of vascular access in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation(TAVI) using stent-based bioprostheses has recently emerged as a promising alternative to surgical valve replacement in selected patients. The main route for TAVI is retrograde access from the femoral artery using large sheaths(16-24 F). Vascular access complications are a clinically relevant issue in TAVI procedures since they are reported to occur in up to one fourth of patients and are strongly associated with adverse outcomes. In the present paper, we review the different types of vascular access site complications associated with transfemoral TAVI. Moreover, we discuss the possible optimal management strategies with particular attention to the relevance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment using endovascular techniques.

The role of echocardiography and CT angiography in transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients

The transcatheter aortic valve implantation （TAVI） consist an altemative treatment in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Multimodality imaging using transthoracic echocardiography （TTE） or transesophageal echocardiography （TOE） and multislice CT （MSCT） constitute cornerstone techniques for the pre-operative management, peri-procedural guidance, follow up and recognition of possible transcatheter valve related complications. CT angiography is much more accurate regarding the total definition of aortic annulus diameter and circumferential area. Two-dimensional （2D） echocardiography, underestimates the aortic valve annulus diameter compared to 3D imaging techniques （MSCT, MRI and 3D TOE）. Three-dimensional TOE imaging provides measurements of the aortic valve annulus similar to those delivered by MSCT. The pre-procedural MSCT constitutes the gold standard modality minimizing the presence of paravalvular aortic regurgitation, one of the most frequent complications. TOE/TTE and MSCT performance could predict the possibility of pacemaker implantation post-procedural. The presence of a new transient or persisting MR can be assessed well by TOE. Both TTE and TOE, consist initially the basic examination for post TAVI evaluation. In case of transcatheter heart valve failure, the MSCT could be used as additional imaging technique.