Open Access

First application of the distal radial approach for severe mechanical surgical aortic valve paravalvular leak transcatheter closure with a double vascular plug: a case report

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Date: 25 July 2024
Journal: European Heart Journal - Case Reports , Volume 8 , Issue 8
Topic: IMAGING, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT), Echocardiography, Interventional Cardiology
Authors: V. Sasi , G. Fontos , Á. Kormányos , M. Vértesaljai , Z. Ruzsa , N. Madan , I. Wong , K. Stathogiannis , P. Tang

ESC Journals

AbstractBackground

Severe aortic paravalvular leaks (PVLs) after surgical mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR) represent a high risk for congestive heart failure, haemolysis, and infective endocarditis. This is the first reported case of distal radial artery (DRA) access for severe mechanical aortic PVL closure with a sequential double vascular plug guided by computed tomography angiography (CTA), transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), and 3D TOE in an acute setting.

Case summary

A 51-year-old male presented with significant mixed aortic valve disease. Aortic valve replacement was performed (Slimline Bicarbon A-25 mm) according to guidelines. Four and 16 days later, a re-exploration was carried out due to pericardial effusion. Four months after discharge from rehabilitation, the patient was readmitted due to worsening dyspnoea on exertion and then at rest. Transthoracic echocardiography, TOE, and consequently, CTA, revealed severe PVL, following which the procedure of transcatheter PVL closure was chosen, with a preference for DRA access. After a CTA scan analysis and angiographic, TOE, and 3D TOE visualization of the leak, a 14/5 mm and a 10/5 mm vascular plug (AVPIII) were deployed to achieve good results. A 9-month clinical, echocardiographic, and CTA follow-up revealed good long-term results.

Discussion

For transcatheter PVL closure, CTA is helpful for not only vascular access planning, but also a visualization of the magnitude of the leak, location, and device planning. This case report demonstrates that the distal radial approach is feasible in patients with severe mechanical aortic valve PVL retrograde transcatheter closure. DRA access could possibly represent less bleeding and vascular access site complications when compared with femoral access and has some potential advantages over regular radial access.

About the contributors

Viktor Sasi

Szeged (University of Szeged)

Role: Author

Géza Fontos

Role: Author

Árpád Kormányos

Role: Author