title: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in obese patients: Overcoming technical challenges and maintaining adequate hemodynamic performance using new generation prostheses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Second-generation TAVI prostheses may enhance the procedure reducing operative time and complications rate, maintaining adequate valve hemodynamic performance. We present our results with 2 new generation trans-catheter aortic valve (TAVI) prostheses in obese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of 172 patients underwent trans-femoral TAVI with new generation prostheses (Direct Flow Medical, DFM®, and LOTUS®). Two groups were identified according to body mass index (BMI): group NO (125) BMI<30kg/m(2) and group O (47) BMI≥30kg/m(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trans-femoral approach was possible in all patients without conversion to conventional surgery/cardiopulmonary bypass. Operative/fluoroscopy time and contrast use were comparable. Vascular and bleeding complications were also equally represented in the 2 groups. Thirty-day mortality was 7.2% in group NO and 6.4% in group O (p=0.9). At discharge, aortic regurgitation was absent/mild in 96% of group NO and in all patients in group O (p=0.3). Mild prosthetic stenosis was reported in 3.8% of the patients in group NO and 2.2% in group O. No moderate/severe prosthetic stenosis was reported. Estimated 1-year survival was 93.1% in group NO and 83.2% in group O (p=0.6). Estimated 1-year freedom from MACCE was 74.7% in group NO and 62.8% in group O (p=0.4). At follow-up echocardiography no significant differences were noticed in the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Second generation TAVI prostheses allow for safe and effective procedures in obese patients. In spite of patient's body habitus, agile prosthesis placement will lead to optimized hemodynamics. Valve and clinical performance are confirmed at follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kische
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany. Electronic address: rgea@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Ancona
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Hüseyin U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Agma
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Gihan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: El-Achkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dißmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortak
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Öner
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ketterer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bärisch
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, St. Gertrauden Krankenhaus, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Benny
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain und Am Urban, Berlin, Germany; Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ince
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D065467:Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
keywords: Aortic valve; Obesity; Second generation; Trans-catheter