Single-center experience and short-term outcome with the JenaValve: a second-generation transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation device.

OBJECTIVE: We present the post-CE(Conformité Européenne)-mark single-center implantation experience and short-term outcome with the second-generation transapical JenaValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation system.

METHODS: Patients [N = 27; 9 women; mean (SD) age, 80.3 (5.5) years] were operated on between November 2011 and August 2012. Via a transapical approach, the valve was positioned, in some cases, repositioned, and finally implanted. All data were collected during the hospital stay.

RESULTS: The implantation success rate was 100%; the mean (SD) operation time was 124.7 (43.2) minutes; and the size of the implanted prosthesis was 23 mm (n = 6), 25 mm (n = 14), and 27 mm (n = 7). The in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were as follows: intraoperative resuscitation with subsequent aortic rupture (n = 1), postoperative hemorrhage needing revision (n = 1), myocardial infarction (n = 1), atrioventricular block needing a definitive pacemaker (n = 1), new-onset renal failure needing hemodialysis (n = 1), and stroke (n = 1). The 30-day mortality was 11.1% (n = 3). The mean (SD) intensive care unit/total stay was 2.2 (1.7)/11.7 (7.9) days. Postoperative echocardiography [day 6.7 (4.8)] revealed residual paravalvular leakage of trace to grade 1 in 12 patients (44.5%) and no leakage in 15 patients, with a mean (SD) transvalvular pressure gradient of 11.6 (5.6) mm Hg with significant reduction by 36.0 (17.7) mm Hg (P = 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test).

CONCLUSIONS: This second-generation repositionable transcatheter aortic valve implantation device could safely and successfully be implanted with a fast learning curve, significant reduction in pressure gradients, overall clinical improvement at discharge, as well as an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate in this highest-risk patient cohort.