A new cone-shaped aortic valve prosthesis for orthotopic position: an experimental study in Swine

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2010 Apr;33(2):330-5. doi: 10.1007/s00270-009-9725-1. Epub 2009 Oct 15.

Abstract

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate a newly designed cone-shaped aortic valve prosthesis (CAVP) for one-step transcatheter placement in an orthotopic position. The study was conducted in 15 swine using either the transcarotid (11 animals) or the transfemoral (4 animals) artery approach. A 12- or 13-Fr sheath was inserted via arterial cutdown. The CAVP was deployed under fluoroscopic control and its struts, by design, induced significant native valve insufficiency. CAVP function was evaluated by aortography and aortic pressure curve tracing. In 11 of 15 swine the CAVP was properly deployed and functioned well throughout the scheduled period of 2-3 h. In three swine the CAVPs were placed lower than intended, however, they were functional even in the left ventricular outflow tract position. One swine expired due to inadvertent low CAVP placement that caused both aortic regurgitation and immobilization of the anterior mitral valve leaflet by the valve struts. We conclude that this design of CAVP is relatively easy to deploy, works well throughout a short time period (2-3 h), and, moreover, seems to be reliable even in a lower-than-orthotopic position (e.g., infra-annulary space). Longer-term studies are needed for its further evaluation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiography / methods
  • Animals
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / surgery*
  • Bioprosthesis*
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods*
  • Carotid Arteries
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Femoral Artery
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Male
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Random Allocation
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Swine