Letter to the Editor

Acute coronary obstruction following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Small vessels, big problems

Periprocedural systemic embolism is a well-documented complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Although the most focus was given to cerebral embolism (which remains unpredictable, difficult to prevent, and a source of increased morbidity and mortality after TAVR), coronary embolism remains less investigated and potentially overlooked. This study provides a case series of 3 patients diagnosed with coronary embolism after TAVR in our institution over a 2-year period (3 of 297 cases, 1%) and a systematic literature review (4 studies; 19 case reports). Overall, coronary embolism associated with TAVR is frequently characterized by proximal vessel occlusion causing ST-elevation myocardial infarction and hemodynamic instability with lower mortality in the acute phase as compared with late coronary embolism. However, it often presents with distal vessel occlusion and minor symptoms that may be overlooked in the periprocedural period. In conclusion, we suggest that TAVR-associated coronary embolism has a much higher prevalence than previously documented. Further studies are warranted to properly assess the prevalence and impact of this phenomenon.

Coronary occlusion (CO) is a rare but serious complication following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with limited published data. We sought to evaluate the immediate and short-term outcomes of CO complicating TAVR.

Studies, including case reports, case series and original articles published from 2002 to 2016 describing CO following TAVR were identified with a systematic electronic search using the PRISMA Statement. Only studies reporting data on demographic and procedural characteristics, management and follow up outcomes were analyzed.

A total of 40 publications describing 96 patients (86 native, 10 bioprosthetic) were identified. Mean age was 83 ± 7 years and most (81%) were females. The mean logistic EuroSCORE and STS score was 23.5 ± 14.6% and 9.1 ± 3.2% respectively. TAVR access site was transfemoral in 73% and a balloon expandable valve was used in 78%. Among those with LCA occlusion, the mean LCA ostium height was 10.1 ± 1.8 mm while the mean RCA ostium height was 10.4 ± 2.0 mm among those with RCA occlusion. CO frequently involved the left main coronary artery (80%) and the most common mechanism was displacement of native valve leaflet (60%), and most cases occurred within 1-hour post-implantation (88%). Percutaneous coronary intervention was attempted in 82 patients and successful in 89%. Procedural death was 10.4%. CO following TAVR in native aortic valve stenosis was associated with a 30-day mortality rate of 35.3%.

CO following TAVR is associated with a high procedural and 30-day mortality rate despite aggressive resuscitative measures including percutaneous coronary intervention.