Preoperative Multi-Detector Computed Tomography for Isolated Surgical
Aortic Valve Replacement; Planning for Future Transcatheter Options
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Background: Valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve
replacement (TAVR) has become a valuable option in patients with
bioprosthetic failure. However, potential issues with ViV TAVR may occur
in patients with high risk anatomy for coronary obstruction and patients
with baseline smaller bioprosthetic valves at risk for patient
prosthesis mismatch. The purpose of this study was therefore to use
preoperative electrocardiography (ECG)-gated, multidetector computed
tomography (MDCT) in patients undergoing isolated surgical aortic valve
replacement (SAVR) to 1) identify which would be high risk for coronary
occlusion with ViV TAVR, and 2) predict intraoperative SAVR sizing.
Methods: Among 223 patients from our institutions’ database that
underwent SAVR for aortic insufficiency (AI) or aortic stenosis (AS)
between January 2012 and January 2020, 48 patients had MDCT imaging
prior to surgery (AI; n=31, AS; n=17). Of all patients, 67% (n=32) were
bicuspid morphology. Results: With the use of virtual valve
implantation, all patients with AI and bicuspid AS had feasible anatomy
for ViV TAVR, while 38% of patients with tricuspid AS were high risk
for coronary obstruction. There was a strong correlation between actual
valve size implanted and preoperative MDCT measurements using annulus
average diameter, area and/or perimeter. Conclusion: Preoperative MDCT
in patients undergoing SAVR is a useful tool for lifetime management,
particularly in patients with tricuspid AS. Decisions for surgical
management may change based on MDCT’s ability to predict intraoperative
SAVR size and determine which patients may be high risk candidates for
future ViV TAVR due to coronary artery obstruction.