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DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1246621
Early survival after transapical implantation of a novel mitral valved stent
Background: To assess short term survival after transcatheter mitral valve replacement using a unique mitral valved stent design and anchoring system.
Methods: The new valved stent is comprised of main body which houses a trileaflet glutaraldehyde-preserved bioprosthesis and contains atrial and ventricular fixation systems. Eight pigs underwent transapical mitral valved stent implantation through a lower mini-sternotomy. The mean mitral annulus size was 24.6±1.4mm and the valved stent size was 26.0±2.6mm.
Results: The average mean transvalvular gradient across the valved stent immediately after deployment, at 6 hours and after one week remained low. The gradient across the neighboring LVOT was not affected. Animals survived an average of 7.3 days, (8 hrs –29 days). Animals that died before one week (n=4) were found at necropsy to have valved stent malpositioning. Animals which survived one week or more had accurate deployment and only trace post deployment paravalvular leak. The causes of death in this latter group were endocarditis (n=1), failure of atrial fixation (n=2) and failure of ventricular fixation (n=1). There was no valved stent embolization seen in any of the animals.
Conclusion: Effective anchoring and function of the new mitral valved stent allowed for short term animal survival.