Successful minimal approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement in an allograft heart recipient 19 years post transplantation for severe aortic stenosis: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Aortic stenosis is one of the rare valvular complications in a transplanted heart. Over the past 8 years, transcatheter approach for aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been slowly evolving to be the preferred approach in these patient population when compared to the surgical approach. We report a second case in the United States with successful transfemoral minimal approach with minimal sedation for TAVR in a heart transplant recipient 19 years post transplantation for severe symptomatic calcified aortic stenosis.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a case of 73-year-old male who has undergone successful minimal approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement in an allograft heart. Patient had received orthotopic heart transplantation 19 years ago for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Follow up transthoracic echocardiograms as per routine protocol did not show any aortic valve disease until 15 years post transplantation. Aortic valve was noted to be mildly sclerotic at that time and gradually progressed to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis over the next 4 years. Patient had complaints of worsening shortness of breath that limited his functional capacity. Overall his post heart transplantation period has been mostly uneventful except for allograft non occlusive vasculopathy and aortic stenosis. His Society of Thoracic Surgery risk score was 12.205% and he was considered to be a high-risk surgical candidate by surgeon. Decision was made to undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

CONCLUSION

With the improved survival of these patients, we think it is time to look into pathophysiology of valvular disease in transplant heart recipients. Some other unanswered questions include, underlying donor and recipient risk factors for valvular diseases in heart transplant recipients.

Key Words: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Heart transplant, Minimal approach valve replacement, Severe aortic stenosis, Case report

Core tip: We report a second case in the United States with successful transfemoral minimal approach with minimal sedation for transcatheter approach for aortic valve replacement in a heart transplant recipient. We believe, with the increase of number of reported cases with valvular diseases in heart transplant patients, it is time for further research in valvular disease in allograft heart recipients.

INTRODUCTION

The survival of heart transplant recipients has significantly improved over the past few decades with advanced surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapies. Valvular diseases like aortic stenosis is seen as one of the late complications in cardiac allograft recipients given improved long-term survival in these patient population[1-3]. Aortic valve replacement through median or partial sternotomy has been considered to be the standard treatment of choice[4-6]. Over the past decade transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been evolving given that it is less invasive in these high risk transplant recipients[6-10]. On review of literature, only 6 case reports have been reported thus far, of which one has been reported in the United States[2,7]. Most of the case reports comment only on immediate post-operative outcomes.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

Progressive shortness of breath.

History of present illness

A 73-year-old male with history of hypertension, orthotopic heart transplantation 19 years ago has been followed closely for symptoms of worsening shortness of breath in the setting of severe aortic stenosis. His functional capacity has been gradually declined to NYHA Class IV (New York Heart Association).

History of past illness

Hypertension, status post heart transplantation, allograft non occlusive vasculopathy and aortic stenosis.

Personal and family history

Included above.

Physical examination

Physical examination upon admission: He was noted to have elevated jugular venous pulse, bibasilar lung crackles and bilateral pedal edema.

Laboratory examination

None.

Imaging examinations

Follow up transthoracic echocardiograms as per routine protocol did not show any aortic valve disease until 15 years post transplantation when the aortic valve was noted to be mildly sclerotic at that time and gradually progressed to symptomatic severe aortic stenosis over the next 4 years.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

TREATMENT

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

Patient had tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home on post procedure day 2. His symptoms of shortness of breath and functional capacity were noted to be significantly improved during post procedure follow up in the clinic.

DISCUSSION

Patient was minimally sedated with subcutaneous lidocaine in bilateral groin sites along with small dose of versed and fentanyl pushes per anesthesia protocol.

The left groin was accessed with a 6 French sheath. A pigtail was advanced for aortoiliac angiography and contralateral access guidance. Aortic root angiography was performed for guidance of valve deployment. A 6 French venous sheath was obtained in the left common femoral vein and a temporary pacemaker was advanced into the right ventricle. With contralateral guidance, a 6 French sheath was placed into the right common femoral artery. Two Preclose devices were deployed and a 16 French sheath was placed. An Amplatz catheter and a Newton wire was advanced, across the aortic valve into the left ventricle followed by advancing a preshaped stiff amplatz wire. Later, the prosthetic aortic valve was advanced across the aortic valve. Once the valve was noted to be in proper position, a 29-mm Sapien 3 valve was deployed in the usual sequence of rapid pacing, balloon inflation and balloon deflation. Once the valve was deployed, transthoracic echocardiography was done that confirmed adequate valve function. No aortic regurgitation was noted. The delivery system and the 16 French sheath and hemostasis was achieved successfully. The left common femoral access sheath was removed and a 6 French Mynx device was placed. No immediate complications were seen. Patient did tolerate the procedure well and was discharged on post op day 2 (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Fluoroscopic pictures. A: The fluoroscopic pictures of pre deployment of the Transcatheter Aortic Aortic Valve B: The fluoroscopic pictures of post deployment of the TAVR valve.

CONCLUSION

Minimal approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement has proven to have good outcomes in high risk patients. Its use in allograft heart is also showing to have good immediate post-operative outcomes. All the case reports thus far have commented on immediate post-operative outcomes, but more data is needed in regard to long-term prognosis. There is inadequate data in regard to valvular diseases in heart transplant recipients. Vasculopathy is a well-known complication in this patient population. With the improved survival of these patients, we think it is time to look into pathophysiology of valvular disease in transplant heart recipients. Some other unanswered questions include, underlying donor and recipient risk factors for valvular diseases in heart transplant recipients.