Percutaneous Antegrade Trans-Septal Closure of Mitral Paravalvular Leak without Creation of an Arteriovenous Wire Loop in Patients with Coexistent Mechanical Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND: Various approaches such as antegrade trans-septal, retrograde transfemoral and transapical techniques have been used to close mitral paravalvular leak (PVL) in patients with an aortic prosthesis. During the implementation of these techniques, an arteriovenous guidewire loop is often created for device delivery. However, passing through a mechanical aortic valve may cause hemodynamic compromise and prolong the procedure. To date, no studies have evaluated antegrade mitral PVL closure without the use of an arteriovenous wire loop in patients with a mechanical aortic prosthesis. Herein is described a different mitral PVL closure technique by means of a trans-septal approach without construction of an arteriovenous guidewire loop in this type of patient.

METHODS: Four patients (two males, two females; mean age 57 ± 10 years; range: 46-67 years) with severe mitral PVL and a mechanical aortic prosthesis were referred for percutaneous closure of a mitral PVL. All patients underwent antegrade trans-septal mitral PVL closure without the creation of an arteriovenous wire loop. Data prospectively collected included assessments from preoperative and postoperative two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

RESULTS: Preoperative TEE demonstrated severe mitral PVL in all four patients. All patients experienced a substantial reduction in symptoms associated with the marked reduction in PVL following repair. There were no procedural complications. The median procedural time was 113 min (range: 50-145 min) and median fluoroscopy time was 23 min (range: 17-25 min).

CONCLUSIONS: An alternative, safe, effective and efficient mitral PVL closure approach in patients with a mechanical aortic prosthesis has been devised. This technique can prevent aortic valve dysfunction, reduce costs, and also decrease complication rates.