A New self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve for transapical implantation: feasibility in acute and chronic animal experiments

Figures & data

Figure 1. (A) Acurate TA^™ bioprosthesis (courtesy of Symetis, Lausanne, Switzerland) showing the aortic and ventricular part of the valve, (B) crimping device and crimped valve at the distal part of the delivery device.

Figure 2. Delivery sequence: (A) Intra-annular positioning of the device (blue bars indicating the annular level), (B) anatomical correct rotation (blue arrow) of the device, (C) partial unsheathing and pulling of the device (blue arrow) and placement of the upper crown, (D) after correct placement of the upper crown the lower crown (E) is released with the valve self-aligned within the aortic annulus (F).

Table I. Intraoperative echocardiographic (TEE) results (acute pig arm).

	Animals
Variable	(n = 6)
Aortic annulus, mm	24.1 ± 1.0
LVED, mm	41.0 ± 1.0
LA, mm	35.7 ± 1.5
RVED, mm	24.7 ± 1.5
AI prior TAVI	0
MI prior TAVI	0
AI after TAVI (intra-valvular)	0
AI after TAVI (para-valvular)	0
MPG after TAVI, mmHg	3.4 ± 2.1
AVA, cm^2	2.4 ± 0.4

Data are presented as mean ± SD or number (%); LVED, Left ventricular end-systolic diameter; LA, Left atrium; AI, Aortic insufficiency; TAVI, Transcatheter aortic valve implantation; MI, Mitral valve insufficiency; MPG, Mean pressure gradient; AVA, Aortic valve area.

Figure 3. Post mortem analysis.

Figure 4. (A) Mean pressure gradients (MPG) during observation period, (B) Aortic valve area (AVA) during observation period.

Figure 5. Aortic regurgitation during observation period.