Acute presentation of structural valve degeneration in a transcatheter heart valve (Sapien XT) at 7.5 years; successful redo tAVR with a Sapien 3 Ultra.

Abstract

Little is known about the presentation of structural valve degeneration complicating transcatheter heart valves (THVs). We report a case of acute heart failure, secondary to leaflet prolapse, in a previously well 77-year-old man, 7.5 years after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a 26-mm balloon-expandable Sapien XT (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) THV. This case highlights that structural valve degeneration complicating THVs might lead to acute presentation with little warning from previous echocardiograms. Calcification might be absent on imaging. Redo transcatheter aortic valve replacement is feasible and appears safe. Post deployment optimization with a highly noncompliant balloon might improve full expansion of the newly implanted THV and improve valve performance.