Surgical Approach for TAVI Replacement in Endocarditis: A Descriptive Technique

TL;DR

This paper presents a surgical technique for replacing infected TAVI valves in endocarditis, aiming to reduce complications and improve outcomes.

Contribution

A standardized surgical approach for removing and replacing infected self-expanding TAVI prosthetic valves is introduced.

Findings

The proposed technique aims to facilitate valve explantation while minimizing surgical risks.

The approach could reduce surgical complications and improve patient outcomes in complex cases.

Further studies are needed to validate its long-term efficacy and broader applicability.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has significantly improved the management of aortic valve disease, but post-TAVI infective endocarditis, occurring in 0.5–3.1% of cases, remains a serious complication. Due to a high mortality rate and technical challenges, surgical replacement of infected TAVI prosthetic valves is performed in only 11.4% of cases. Methods: This case describes a standardized surgical technique for the removal and replacement of self-expanding TAVI prosthetic valves in the case of infective endocarditis. Results: The proposed approach aims to facilitate valve explantation while minimizing surgical risks. Conclusions: We believe that this technique could be particularly beneficial for surgeons managing these complex cases, by reducing surgical complications and improving patient outcomes. Further studies are necessary to validate its long-term efficacy and applicability in broader clinical settings.

Figures