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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
A Simplified Stepwise Approach to Echo Guidance during Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair
Published on: October 16, 2021
Ten-Year Experience with a Transapical Approach for Transcatheter Aortic and Mitral Valve Implantation
Antonella Galeone1, Fabiola Perrone1, Gabriele Pesarini2
1Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy.
Background:
The transfemoral approach represents the optimal access for TAVI due to its low invasiveness; however, up to 10-15% of TAVI candidates are considered unsuitable for femoral access because of significant peripheral vascular disease and need alternative access.
Methods:
This is a single-center retrospective observational study including all consecutive adult patients undergoing transcatheter procedures through a TA approach from March 2015 to April 2024.
Results:
213 patients underwent transcatheter aortic or mitral valve implantation through a TA approach and were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 79.5 ± 5.7 years, and 54% of the patients were males. The mean Euroscore II was 7.9 ± 6.4%. One-third of the patients had previous cardiac surgery. The overall mean survival time was 5.3 ± 0.3 years. Nine (4%) patients developed infective endocarditis (IE) during the follow-up.
Conclusions:
The transapical approach for transcatheter procedures is a safe and effective procedure for patients unsuitable for TF access with low periprocedural mortality and a low rate of post-procedural complications when performed by experienced surgeons and cardiologists.
