title: Distal embolization of Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered an alternative therapy in high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Despite this, such a minimally invasive procedure is not free from complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 86-year-old woman underwent a 26-mm SAPIEN TAVI for aortic valve stenosis. Procedure was complicated by valve embolization into the ascending aorta likely due to a sub-optimal positioning of prosthesis during its deployment. Patient was treated by surgical removal of stent-valve and conventional valve replacement. Patient was discharged from hospital 7 days after surgery. At six months follow-up she was asymptomatic and the valve had a good competence with a mean transaortic gradient of 8 mmHg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After TAVI prosthesis embolization, conversion to conventional surgical treatment is imperative and can be associated with excellent outcome.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cuttone
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ivascau
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grollier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massetti
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome