Background: The aim of the study was to assess safety TAVI procedure through the common carotid artery in high-vascular-risk patients.
Methods: The approach was selected by a multidisciplinary (cardiologists and cardiac surgeons) heart team after analyzing preoperative coronary angiography, transthoracic echocardiography and multislice contrast computed tomography of the peripheral arteries. Patients with the following conditions were qualified to the transcarotid access: severe peripheral artery disease (stenotic, heavily calcified), tortuous or small diameter <6 mm iliofemoral arteries, descending and abdominal aortic disease.
Results: Ten transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures were performed in our hospital from September 2017 to May 2018. There were no in-hospital deaths or strokes. The procedural success rate defined as the implantation of the valve with no coronary obstruction and less than moderate paravalvular leak was 100%. Parameters of regional cerebral oximetry were symmetrical on the left and right side in all cases and only during rapid ventricular pacing transiently decreased below the value of 50%. Postoperative cerebrovascular complications and myocardial infarctions were not observed. Statistically significant reduction of the echocardiographic parameters (PGmax and PGmean, Vmax) were observed. Mild paravalvular leaks occurred in 4 patients. Additionally, the heart failure symptoms diminished after the procedure from a median class III to class II. In the 3-month follow-up, mortality is 10% (unknown cause of death of one patient). The mean NYHA class of the other patients is II. Echocardiographic parameters are comparable to postoperative day 4.
Conclusions: The pilot registry showed the safety of transcarotid approach in patients with the anatomy precluding the transfemoral approach.