Transapical aortic valve implantation requires puncture of the left ventricle apex and insertion of a 32-French delivery sheath. A critical step in the procedure consists of secure closure of the ventricular apex. We describe 2 cases of apical rupture of 42 transapical aortic valve implantations. Furthermore, we describe the use of a newly designed single circular Teflon pledget that can help to avoid this complication. This pledget provides a more secure and uniform shrinkage of the entire apex to close the defect left by the delivery sheath.
CribierA., EltcchaninoffH., BashA.Percutaneous transcatheter implantation of an aortic valve prosthesis for calcific aortic stenosis: first human case description. Circulation.2002; 106: 3006–3008.
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VahanianA., AlfieriO., Al-AttarN.Transcatheter valve implantation for patients with aortic stenosis: a position statement from European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in collaboration with European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). Eur Heart J.2008; 11: 1463–1470.
