Periaortic hematoma after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: description of a new complication

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2012 Apr 1;79(5):766-76. doi: 10.1002/ccd.23242. Epub 2011 Dec 12.

Abstract

We report a case series of three patients with periaortic hematomas following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The TAVRs were performed by either trans-apical or transfemoral approach. An intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) was performed in all patients. Clinical features of all three cases included advanced age, female gender, and small body weight. In addition, the following characteristics were present in all cases: presence of bulky calcification of the noncoronary cusp (NCC) of the aortic valve, mismatch between the annulus and device diameter, and severe intraprocedural hypertension immediately following TAVR. These characteristics may be potential causative factors. Early recognition of this complication by intra-procedural TEE was integral to the initiation of rapid and appropriate therapy, resulting in a favorable outcome. Herein, we present possible theories for the occurrence of this rare complication.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aorta / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta / physiopathology*
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Stenosis / surgery*
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hematoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sampling Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index