Per the instruction for use (ifu), valve stenosis is a potential risk associated with bioprosthetic heart valves.Valve stenosis may be accompanied by an increased gradient across the valve.Per the valve academic research consortium (varc), valve stenosis can result from a number of factors, including pannus, calcification, support structure deformation (out-of-round configuration), trauma (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, blunt chest trauma), endocarditis, prosthetic valve thrombosis, and native leaflet prolapse impeding prosthetic leaflet motion.It is normal to have a small gradient across a prosthetic valve after implant.If elevated, it may indicate obstructed flow across the valve.An increase in gradients may result from patient factors such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hcm) or sub-valvular aortic stenosis.Additionally, an increase in gradients can indicate that a leaflet is not functioning optimally due to calcification or early thrombus formation.In the instance of a bioprosthetic valve in valve implant an increased gradient can be a result of intravalvular regurgitation and is not a result of a valve leaflet malfunction.If mild, these patients will not require intervention and will be followed with serial echocardiography.If significant and results in symptoms, it may require intervention.In this case, there was no allegation or indication a device malfunction contributed to the event. the cause of the increased gradient cannot be determined with the limited information.However, it is possible that it may be the progression of pre-existing aortic valve disease.Complaint histories for all reported events are reviewed against trending control limits on a monthly basis, and any excursions above the control limits are assessed and documented as part of this monthly review.No corrective or preventative actions are required.
|
As reported, approximately 2 years post transcatheter valve replacement with a 23mm sapien 3 valve in the mitral position, the patient presented with signs of heart failure with gradients of 21mm hg. the valve was dilated with a non edward¿s balloon and a second 26mm sapien 3 valve was implanted. post dilation was performed, and the patient left the room with normal gradients and only mild paravalvular leak. the patient is in stable condition post procedure.
|