P62: A Unique case of Transcatheter aortic valve replacement dislodgement in the presence of a durable left ventricular assist device

Abstract

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement [TAVR] for severe pure aortic insufficiency [AI] in the presence of a durable left ventricular assist device [LVAD] is fraught with challenges. We report an interesting case of TAVR valve dislodgement by the LVAD that was treated with redeployment of another TAVR valve, and redo surgery for extraction of the intraventricular TAVR valve. Methods and Results: A 46-year-old man presented to our unit in cardiogenic shock [CS] and severe pulmonary hypertension [PH] of 72/45mmHg. He underwent placement of an Impella 5.5 [Abiomed, Danvers, MA] as a bridging strategy to treat his CS and PH while transplant candidacy was being assessed. However, he remained pulmonary hypertensive with a trans-pulmonary gradient 26mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance 5.3 wood units, despite 14 days of impella 5.5 therapy combined with aggressive management with milrinone 0.25 mcg/kg/min and bumetanide infusion 1mg/hr. He therefore underwent implantation of heart mate 3 [HM3] LVAD [Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL] by a limited left thoracotomy in the 5th intercostal space and upper ‘inverse-T’ hemi-sternotomy into the fourth intercostal space. His postoperative course was complicated by requirement for 31mm percutaneous Protek Duo [LivaNova, London, UK] Right VAD [RVAD] for 32 days, and gastrointestinal bleeding requiring cessation of heparin therapy, which prompted formation of thrombus in the left coronary cusp of the aortic valve. Organization of this thrombus and consequent retraction of the left coronary leaflet led to severe AI and consequent CS, requiring inotropic support and discussion on optimal management strategy. He underwent TAVR with a 29mm Edwards Sapien 3 valve [Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA] with 20% over-sizing, which got dislodged and migrated into the LV. Another 29mm Edwards Sapien 3 TAVR valve was successfully deployed. The patient was then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass via the femoral vessels, and the left thoracotomy was reopened. The LVAD was temporarily stopped, and the latch mechanism on the HM3 was opened. The HM3 was removed from the sewing cuff, and the TAVR valve was ‘fished-out’ from the cavity of the LV. The HM3 was reinserted and restarted after thorough de-airing through the outflow graft. The incisions were closed in a standard manner and the patient was discharged home on the 20th postoperative day. Conclusions: TAVR for severe AI in the presence of a durable LVAD is fraught with challenges due to the constant suction action of the LVAD, and the absence of calcium in the native annulus to anchor the prosthesis. Our case highlights the feasibility of extricating a dislodged TAVR valve through simple redo-surgery. With this approach, we managed to avoid a more conventional redo procedure involving administration of cardioplegia for a surgical AVR or for extricating the prosthesis, with its inherent risk of right ventricular failure requiring RVAD. Figure showing dislodged TAVR on the left and redeployment on the right