COMMENT
Sutureless valves offer advantages in operative approach and time, however rates of PVL range from 0.5 to 15.8% and no clear consensus currently exists regarding management of this complication.2, 3 We report a case of an Intuity sutureless AVR complicated by post-operative moderate-to-severe PVL causing persistent hemolysis. Subsequent BVPD was attempted in anticipation of expanding the valve’s skirt component but was unsuccessful in eliminating PVL.
Transcatheter AVR (TAVR) has the highest rate of PVL among AVR modalities3 leading to clear recommendations in management. Two strategies, BVPD and deployment of a second transcatheter valve, “valve-in-valve”, have independently been shown to reduce PVL and improve overall survival.4 BVPD is warranted when PVL is moderate-or-greater and may reduce residual regurgitation by 75.6% in select patients.5
Less literature exists regarding management of PVL following sutureless AVR. Surgical techniques are described for removal and reimplantation of a supra-annular malpositioned Perceval sutureless valve (LivaNova, London, United Kingdom).6 Two cases successfully used BVPD intra-operatively for PVL, but differ from this case in their direct access through the aortotomy.7, 8Another study showed elimination of PVL on POD8 using BVPD in a Perceval sutureless valve.9 The only report of post-operative BVPD in an Intuity valve was 6 months after initial implantation.10 Alternatively, valve-in-valve for PVL in sutureless valves poses theoretical risks of valve instability and dislocation, and is not routinely performed.11
In conclusion, despite widespread use of sutureless valves, appropriate therapeutic modalities for PVL are largely undescribed. To our knowledge, we are the first to report an attempted BVPD in an Intuity valve for post-operative PVL, and the only group to describe a failure of BVPD in the sutureless population. Although potentially beneficial, a word of caution is important as both the success rate and the complications remain largely unknown. Further case reports documenting successful and unsuccessful treatment attempts are necessary to inform surgical decision making.