title: A fully echo-guided trans-apical aortic valve implantation.
abstract: The trans-apical aortic valve implantation (TA-AVI) is an established technique for high-risk patients requiring aortic valve replacement. Traditionally, preoperative (computed tomography (CT) scan, coronary angiogram) and intra-operative imaging (fluoroscopy) for stent-valve positioning and implantation require contrast medium injections. To preserve the renal function in elderly patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency, a fully echo-guided trans-catheter valve implantation seems to be a reasonable alternative. We report the first successful TA-AVI procedure performed solely under trans-oesophageal echocardiogram control, in the absence of contrast medium injections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardio-Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), 46 Rue du Bugnon, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. enricoferrari@bluewin.ch
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sulzer
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Ludwig Karl
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: von Segesser
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods