Retrograde percutaneous aortic valve implantation for critical aortic stenosis

Recently, a prosthetic aortic valve has been implanted percutaneously in several patients using an antegrade transseptal approach. This has been shown to be feasible and associated with dramatic hemodynamic improvement. We report a retrograde implantation of a percutaneous heart valve (PHV) in an 84-year-old man with critical aortic stenosis and refractory congestive heart failure after difficulties encountered with an initial antegrade approach. While attempting antegrade transseptal implantation of a PHV, the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve was tethered by the guidewire resulting in severe mitral regurgitation and pulseless electrical activity. Cardiac resuscitation was successful. Utilizing a retrograde approach, the PHV was successfully implanted in a stable position below the coronary ostia and well above the mitral valve leaflets. The aortic valve area increased from 0.55 to 1.7 cm2 with only mild paravalvular aortic regurgitation. Despite marked improvement in aortic valve function, the patient died secondary to guidewire-induced mitral valve anterior leaflet laceration, severe mitral regurgitation, and cardiogenic shock. Retrograde implantation of a PHV can be successfully performed with substantial increase in aortic valve area and an acceptable degree of aortic regurgitation. Although the retrograde approach may be associated with greater risk of vascular access site complications, it may be considerably safer by avoiding potential guidewire injury to the mitral valve. Further refinements in technique may establish the retrograde approach as the preferred means of PHV implantation in nonsurgical patients with critical aortic stenosis.