Initial Experience With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Montenegro

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative treatment to classic aortic valve replacement(cAVR) for selected, high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Objectives: In our study, we compared preoperative parameters and postoperative outcomes in patients with TAVI and classic aortic valvereplacement. Patients and Methods: From March 2011 to December 2013, 18 patients received TAVI and 143 patients underwent cAVR. We comparedpreoperative Euro SCORE, 30 day mortality, complications after six month and echocardiography findings. Results: Patients received TAVI were older than patients underwent cAVR (72.7 ± 2.7: 65.3 ± 2.9; P < 0.001). Euro SCORE was higher in TAVIgroup (8.0%: 5.6%; P = 0.43). There were no statistically significant differences in 30-day (0.0%: 2.8%; P = 0.932) and 6-month mortality (5.5%:3.5%; P = 0.822) as well in stroke incidence (11.1%: 2.8%; P = 0.822). Pacemaker implantation is more frequent in TAVI than in cAVR group (22.0%:2, 1%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: High risk patients needing AVR are optimal candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. TAVI is a valuablesolution for high risk patients needing AVR. Obtained results are comparable to results in transthoracic AVR in standard candidates foraortic valve implantation.

Initial Experience With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Montenegro Keywords:

Aortic Valve Stenosis , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation , Mortality