title: Off-pump transapical balloon-expandable aortic valve endoprosthesis implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aortic valve replacement is a routine procedure, and involves replacement of the native valve/prosthesis. In most of the patients who undergo such procedure the risk is acceptable, but in some cases, such risk can justify contraindication. The minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve implantation without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to be viable, with lower morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to develop a catheter-mounted aortic bioprosthesis for implantation without CPB.
  
  
  METHODS
  After developing in animals, three patients with high EuroSCORE underwent implantation. Case 1: patients with bioprosthesis dysfunction; Case 2: severe aortic stenosis; Case 3: dysfunction of aortic bioprosthesis. After minithoracotomy and under echocardiographic and fluoroscopic control, a balloon catheter was placed on aortic position and inflated. After, a second balloon with valved endoprosthesis was positioned and released under high ventricular rate. Echocardiographic and angiographic controls were performed and the patients were referred to ICU.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first case, implantation without CPB was possible with appropriate results. The patient evolved with improvement of ventricular function. After, this patient developed bronchopneumonia, tracheoesophageal fistula and died due to mediastinitis. Autopsy confirmed proper valve positioning and leaflets preservation. The second case showed the device migration after inflation of the balloon, with the need for urgent median sternotomy, CPB and conventional valve replacement. This patient evolved well and was discharged from the ICU on the 14th postoperative day without complications. This patient developed respiratory infection, septic shock and died on the 60th postoperative day. The patient from the third case underwent successful implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The off-pump transapical implantation of catheter-mounted bioprosthesis was shown to be a feasible procedure. Technical details and learning curve require further discussion.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Paulo, UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. drgaia@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Diego Felipe
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Gaia
authors.forename: José Honório
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: José Augusto Marcondes de
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: José Cícero Stocco
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Guilhen
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Telis
authors.forename: Claudio Henrique
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Carolina Baeta Neves Duarte
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Enio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buffolo
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment