A case of early thrombosis following a percutaneous tricuspid valve in valve implantation managed by thrombolysis

Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis is a growing recognized entity, especially with the increasing use of the valve in vale procedures and the advent of new detection technologies (e.g., 4D CT and 4D echocardiography). However, the optimal management strategy in the acute context is not established. This paper presents a case of early thrombosis following the percutaneous tricuspid valve in vale procedure that was successfully managed with thrombolysis.

Residual Bioprosthetic Valve Immunogenicity: Forgotten, Not Lost

Despite early realization of the need to control inherent immunogenicity of bioprosthetic replacement heart valves and thereby mitigate the ensuing host response and its associated pathology, including dystrophic calcification, the problem remains unresolved to this day. Concerns over mechanical stiffness associated with prerequisite high cross-link density to effect abrogation of this response, together with the insinuated role of leaching glutaraldehyde monomer in subsequent dystrophic mineralization, have understandably introduced compromises. These have become so entrenched as a benchmark standard that residual immunogenicity of the extracellular matrix has seemingly been relegated to a very subordinate role. Instead, focus has shifted toward the removal of cellular compartment antigens renowned for their implication in the failure of vascularized organ xenotransplants. While decellularization certainly offers advantages, this review aims to refocus attention on the unresolved matter of the host response to the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, by implicating remnant immune and inflammatory processes to bioprosthetic valve pathology, including pannus overgrowth and mineralization, the validity of a preeminent focus on decellularization, in the context of inefficient antigen and possible residual microbial remnant removal, is questioned.

Long-Term Outcomes of Bioprosthetic or Mechanical Valve Replacement in End-Stage Renal Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Retrospective Study

Background: Valve replacement is associated with worse outcomes in individuals who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and require a long-term renal replacement therapy. Prosthetic valve selection in patients with ESRD has remained controversial.Objective: We aimed to investigate long-term outcomes of mechanical and bioprosthetic valve replacement in individuals with ESRD.Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using data obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 10,202 patients, including 912 ESRD and 9,290 non-ESRD patients, were selected after a 1:1 propensity-score matching based on the type of prosthetic valve used. The long-term mortality outcomes were then analyzed.Results: During a median follow-up period of 59.6 months, the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that ESRD patients who underwent mechanical valve replacement had higher rates of all-cause mortality and CV deaths than those who underwent bioprosthetic valve replacement (Log-rank test, p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that ESRD patients who underwent bioprosthetic valve replacement had lower rates of all-cause mortality (p < 0.001, hazard ratio: 0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.93) and cardiovascular (CV) death (p < 0.001, hazard ratio: 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.76–0.90) than those who had mechanical valve replacement.Conclusion: Bioprosthetic valve replacement is significantly associated with lower rates of all-cause mortality and CV death in the ESRD population.

Small Degenerated Surgical Bioprosthetic Valve should be Treated with SupraAnnular Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Patient-prothesis mismatch (PPM) is a serious potential complication following surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). If it develops, valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a reasonable therapeutic option. However, there is low evidence on the management of small degenerated surgical bioprosthetic valves, not prone to balloon-valve fracture (BVF). Case Presentation: This case report presents a successful valve-in-valve TAVR in acute heart failure due to degenerative surgical bioprosthetic valve Trifecta (21 mm) that is not susceptible to BVF. Standard preparation for transfemoral TAVR with a self-expandable valve was conducted, including the over-the-wire pacing. Thereafter, a successful valve-in-valve primary implantation of the self-expanding, supra-annular valve Evolut R 26 (Medtronic™) has been achieved. Follow-up at 3 months showed mild paravalvular leak in the region with clinical and heart function improvements of the patient. Follow-up echocardiographic parameters showed the reduction of anterograde flow impairment and improved effective orifice area (~0.85 cm2/m2). Conclusion: In conclusion, supra-annular valve-in-valve TAVR is a potential therapeutic option for PPM of small degenerated surgical bioprosthetic valves which are not prone to BVF.