Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved as a routine procedure to treat selected high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although obstruction of the left or right coronary ostium is a relatively rare but lethal complication during TAVI procedure, it is generally accepted that a distance between the coronary ostium and the annulus less than 10 mm or sinus of Valsalva diameter below 30 mm, and existing of bulky calcified leaflet are risks for coronary occlusion as for several type of classic TAVI devices such as Edward SAPIEN and Medtronic CoreValve [1, 2]. The J-Valve™ system is a brand new second-generation TAVI device featured by three U-shape anatomically oriented devices “claspers” which could facilitate intuitive “self-positioning” valve implantation [3]. Due to the ability of embracing the native calcified leaflets during valve implantation and specially designed bear area on valve stent, this low-profile designed valve is especially suitable for patient who is at high risk for coronary obstruction. We then reported our initial experience of using J-Valve in treating patient with high risk factor for coronary obstruction during TAVI procedure.

Case presentation

Three high surgical risk patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high risk for coronary occlusion during TAVI procedure were enrolled (three female patients). The basic characters shown in Table 1. These three patients have the common feature of low coronary ostium height (< 10 mm) with narrowed aortic sinus (< 30 mm). The effective aortic valve opening area (EOA) was 0.7 cm2, 0.7 cm2 and 0.65 cm2 in each patient with marked leaflet calcification. Aortic valve annular size was 24 mm, 25 mm, 24 mm on CT image.

Table 1 Basic character of three patients
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The TAVI procedure using J-Valve™ prosthesis was performed through trans-apical approach (Fig. 1). The procedure detail is described previously [3]. Briefly the apical puncture was done with a super-stiff guide-wire placed into the descending aorta. A 14F sheath was carefully introduced into the left ventricle followed by a balloon catheter. Pre-procedural balloon-valvuloplasty of the native valve was performed under rapid pacing. In parallel, a J-Valve™ prosthesis was crimped into the 27-F Ausper-AS delivery system (Three 25 mm prostheses were used). The delivery system was bluntly inserted into the left ventricle and advanced under fluoroscopic guidance into a supra-annular position. Three ‘U-shaped’ graspers were then completely released first and carefully placed into the corresponding aortic sinus by gently pulling back the delivery system, thereby embracing the native leaflets. The angiogram was then performed to confirm that all the graspers were positioned correctly into the each aortic sinus. The valve was retrieved back gently into the annular plan with the guidance of the graspers and deployed without rapid ventricular pacing. After wound closure, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. Further postoperative course was uneventful. At discharge, TTE revealed an excellent valve function with EOA (1.8 cm2, 1.9 cm2, 2.0 cm2 in each patient) without any relevant incompetence. One patient was noted to have trivial degree paravalvular leakage.

Fig. 1
figure 1

J-Valve implantation in a patient with high risk of coronary obstruction. Upper Panel: Note both left and right coronary height was all less than 10 mm with narrow aortic sinus (a-d). Lower Panel: Angiogram also revealed low coronary ostium height (e). Valve deployment process (f-h): Three Clasper were released and pushed back gently into the aortic sinuses, the valve was retrieved into the annular plan with the help of the locking device. The valve was then deployed without rapid ventricular pacing, further angiogram confirmed good position of the valve while without obvious paravalvular leakage

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Discussion

Although the incidence of coronary obstruction reveled in large TAVI series and registries are relatively low, it is still the most lethal complication of TAVI procedure [1]. Evidences have shown that a distance between the coronary ostium and the annulus less than 10 mm or sinus of Valsalva diameter below 30 mm, and existing of bulky calcified leaflet are risks for coronary occlusion as for classic TAVI device such as Edward SAPIEN and Medtronic CoreValve due to their design [2]. Contrast to western population, Asian patients always associated with low body weight, relatively small aortic root and low coronary orifice height. In some specific situation, choose of the classic TAVI device may warrant caution or even contraindicated.

The J-Valve™ system is a new second-generation self-expendable low-profile prosthesis that is featured by three U-shape anatomical orientated devices — “Clasper” encircling around the valve frame. The design concept of this device is to facilitate intuitive ‘self-positioning’ valve implantation through embracing the native aortic valve leaflet. In this case serious, successful TAVI procedure was done using this unique system in all three patients who are at high risk for coronary obstruction with low coronary height and narrowed aortic sinus. This valve have several unique features to minimized the risk coronary obstruction including 1) More accurate position of the device with anatomical orientated devices to avoid malposition; 2) Low-profile design with extra bare mental area in coronary orifice region (Fig. 2); 3) Unlike the traditional design of classic stent valve system, the unique designed U-shape claspers could embrace the native aortic valve leaflet (clip mechanism) then subsequently leaving the coronary ostia freely accessible from heavily calcified aortic leaflet; 4) Meanwhile, J-Valve™ system has the advantage of achieving better anchoring through embrace the leaflets, then diminish the necessity of oversizing and minimize the risk of coronary obstruction.

Fig. 2
figure 2

The J-Valve™ system is a new second-generation TAVI device that is featured by three U-shape anatomical orientated devices-“Clasper” encircling around the valve frame. It has a low-profile design with extra bare mental area in coronary orifice region to minimize the risk of coronary obstruction

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Conclusion

The new J-Valve™ prosthesis is a brand new second generation TAVI device. This system may provide a safety treatment option for patient with high risk factor for coronary obstruction underwent TAVI procedure.