# A case report of ventricular suicide following transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the danger of abrupt afterload reduction

## TL;DR

A patient with heart conditions experienced a dangerous drop in blood pressure after a heart valve procedure, highlighting a rare but serious risk in similar cases.

## Contribution

Highlights the risk of 'ventricular suicide' in patients with HCM undergoing TAVR due to abrupt afterload reduction.

## Key findings

- Abrupt afterload reduction can cause obstructive shock in patients with hyperdynamic contractility.
- Prophylactic beta-blockade and hydration may prevent hemodynamic collapse in at-risk patients.
- TAVR can be safely performed in high-risk patients with proper management of complications.

## Abstract

We describe a patient with severe aortic stenosis (AS) developing obstructive shock immediately following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) secondary to a unique phenomenon termed “ventricular suicide.” Abrupt withdrawal of chronically high afterload may lead to mid-ventricular systolic collapse ± left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in the setting of hyperdynamic contractility, as seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

An 88-year-old male with severe symptomatic AS presented with worsening dyspnea. Given his high surgical risk and frailty, he underwent TAVR. The patient had a history of persistent atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, prior cerebellar stroke, and severe AS. Post-TAVR, he experienced a significant blood pressure drop, leading to shock. Investigations revealed hyperdynamic left ventricular (LV) function, cavitary obliteration, and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Management included intravenous fluids and phenylephrine, which stabilized his condition. He was discharged on a beta-blocker and remained asymptomatic with a normally functioning TAVR prosthesis one month post-discharge.

HCM and its phenocopies are associated with worse outcomes post-TAVR. Prophylactic beta-blockade and hydration may prevent hemodynamic collapse in patients with anatomic substrates for ventricular suicide.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43044-025-00650-2.