Incidence, prognostic value and management of vascular complications with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Future Cardiol. 2011 May;7(3):321-31. doi: 10.2217/fca.11.16.

Abstract

Inoperable or high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have better outcomes compared with those treated with standard medical therapy. As for any other invasive procedure, peri-procedural complications may occur, reducing the procedural success rate and potentially affecting short- and mid-term outcomes. The transfemoral approach prevails over other possible access-site options in most registries. The use of large introducer sheaths and the need for double arterial vascular access can lead to higher rates of vascular complications in this elderly population, with a high prevalence of baseline peripheral artery disease. In this article, we review the results of recent clinical trials and major registries using the two different bioprosthesis currently available for TAVI, focusing on access site-related complications with transfemoral TAVI, their management and relationship with in-hospital and 30-day survival. Awareness of the mechanisms behind these complications might help in their prevention, recognition and management and may ultimately improve the clinical outcome of TAVI procedures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / therapy
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods
  • Cardiac Catheterization / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intraoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Italy
  • Perioperative Care
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors