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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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Published on: August 8, 2025
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: first trans-iliac experience in Japan
Satoshi Kainuma1, Toru Kuratani, Kazuo Shimamura
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 2-2(E1) Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Insights
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers a successful, less invasive option for high-risk patients with aortic valve stenosis. This case study highlights TAVI’s effectiveness in Japan for a patient with severe pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the standard treatment for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis.
- High-risk patients with comorbidities are often ineligible for traditional open-heart surgery.
- Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a less invasive alternative.
Observation:
- An 81-year-old woman with severe interstitial pneumonia presented with significant aortic valve stenosis.
- Due to high surgical risk associated with conventional AVR, TAVI was pursued.
- A 23-mm Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve was successfully implanted via the common iliac artery.
Findings:
- Postoperative echocardiography confirmed satisfactory hemodynamic function and stable valve placement.
- The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7 with no complications.
- At 6-month follow-up, the patient remained event-free with significant functional improvement.
Implications:
- TAVI represents a viable and less invasive therapeutic option for high-risk patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis.
- This case marks the first successful TAVI procedure in Japan, expanding treatment possibilities.
- The findings support TAVI as a safe and effective alternative for carefully selected patients ineligible for conventional AVR.
Abstract:
Conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the gold standard surgical treatment for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. However, some patients are not referred for open surgical procedure because of their high risk due to complicated co-morbidities. We describe the first case in Japan of successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). An 81-year-old woman with severe interstitial pneumonia was referred for significant aortic valve stenosis. Conventional AVR might have been risky, so TAVI was planned after informed consent was obtained. Under general anesthesia was established, a 23-mm Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve was implanted through the common iliac artery. Postoperative echocardiographic assessment showed satisfactory hemodynamic function with a stable valve position, and she was discharged on day 7 without complications. At the 6-month follow-up, there had been no untoward events, and there was marked improvement in her functional status. TAVI for symptomatic aortic valve stenosis is a less invasive, alternative approach for high-risk patients.