Iatrogenic communications between aortic root and right ventricle/left atrium after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative, less invasive treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, who are high-risk for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement, due to co-morbidities. In addition to a 30-day 10% mortality risk there is a recognized range of complications, which commonly relate to vascular access trauma, paravalvular aortic regurgitation, and cerebrovascular events. In the following case reports, we discuss two previously unreported complications of TAVR: (i) an iatrogenic communication between the aortic root and the right ventricle and (ii) an iatrogenic communication between the aortic root and the left atrium. Informed written consent was obtained from both patients.