[Complications After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure for aortic stenosis.
• Assessing TAVI complication rates is crucial for patient safety and procedural optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence and types of complications following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 99 patients who underwent TAVI.
• Complications were categorized and compared between transapical and transfemoral TAVI approaches.
• Anesthesia types (general vs. local) were compared for specific complication rates.

Main Results:

• The most frequent complications included bleeding (17.2%), new cardiac rhythm disturbances requiring pacemakers (15.1%), and delirium (10.7%).
• Other complications observed were hemopericardium (6%), acute kidney injury (8.0%), stroke (7%), ventricular fibrillation (5.1%), and myocardial infarction (2%).
• No significant differences in complication rates were found between transapical and transfemoral TAVI. Ventricular fibrillation was more common with local anesthesia during transfemoral TAVI.

Conclusions:

• TAVI is associated with a spectrum of complications, predominantly bleeding and arrhythmias.
• Procedural approach (transapical vs. transfemoral) did not influence overall complication rates.
• Local anesthesia in transfemoral TAVI may increase the risk of ventricular fibrillation.