Aims: We report a case of emergency transcatheter heart valve implantation in a failing mitral bioprosthesis via a transseptal access complicated by the atrial migration of a prosthesis.
Methods and results: A 42-year-old woman was referred for stenotic failure of a mitral bioprosthesis. A transapical valve-in-valve implantation was initially planned. However, due to sudden haemodynamic deterioration, an emergency transseptal implantation via a femoral venous access was undertaken. Following cardiac arrest, the procedure was performed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and was complicated by the migration of a valve, which was left moving freely in the left atrium. A second valve was successfully implanted in the mitral bioprosthesis. Following initial clinical recovery, there was a sudden recurrence of heart failure due to entrapment of the migrated valve in the implanted valve in a "reverse position", which was dislodged percutaneously in an emergency procedure. The valve later migrated into the left atrial appendage. Immediate outcome was uneventful, but the patient suddenly died six months later.
Conclusions: Transseptal transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation is feasible, even in an emergency setting with ECMO. Valve migration in the left atrium may occur and lead to late entrapment in a "reverse position", with significant haemodynamic consequences.