Transapical aortic valve implantation: therapy of choice for patients with aortic stenosis and porcelain aorta?

Background: Conventional aortic valve replacement can be technically challenging in patients with porcelain aorta and is associated with a high rate of stroke and mortality. Porcelain aorta is even sometimes seen as contraindication for surgery. Minimally invasive off-pump transapical aortic valve implantation may be an optimal strategy to treat elderly patients with porcelain aorta requiring aortic valve replacement.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with severe aortic stenosis and porcelain aorta underwent transapical aortic valve implantation. Mean age was 79 ± 7.8 years (range, 64 to 93 years), with 65.5% female. Logistic EuroSCORE and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score were 37.7% ± 18.1% and 12.8% ± 2.2%, respectively. Peripheral vascular disease (41.4%) and carotid artery stenosis (58.6%) were frequent, and 17.2% of patients had experienced a stroke previously. The majority of patients were redo cases (51.2%), and 10.3% were dependent on chronic hemodialysis. In 13.8% of all patients, intraoperatively detected porcelain aorta caused an attempt at conventional aortic valve replacement by means of sternotomy to be aborted.

Results: All valves were implanted successfully without embolization or aortic dissection. All procedures were primarily performed off-pump, but 4 patients required secondary cardiopulmonary bypass as a result of complications. Median procedure time was 80 minutes, and median intensive care unit stay was 1 day. Stroke occurred in 1 patient only. Thirty-day mortality was 17.2%. Mild paravalvular leak was seen in 31.0%, and mild to moderate regurgitation occurred in 1 patient.

Conclusions: Transapical aortic valve implantation is a promising approach to treat elderly patients with porcelain aorta requiring aortic valve replacement. It is associated with acceptable outcome and low stroke rates.