Cardiac tamponade after transcatheter aortic valve replacement using a transaortic approach

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is considered an option for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not surgical candidates. We describe the case of a patient who presented with cardiac tamponade shortly after uneventful TAVR by a direct aortic approach. The patient was brought to the operating room for exploration and repair. Although TAVR is less invasive than traditional open aortic valve replacement, TAVR nonetheless poses serious risk. This case highlights a potential complication of the less commonly used transaortic approach for TAVR and the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach when identifying and managing all TAVR-associated complications.