First Egyptian experience of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Immediate results and one year follow up

Background: Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) offers a less invasive modality to manage aortic stenosis (AS) especially in high risk patients. It was not available in Egypt until the end of 2011. Aim: The aim of this study is to report immediate and one year follow up results of first TAVI implantations in Egyptian patients. Patients and methods: Ten patients with severe symptomatic AS underwent TAVI implantation using Edwards SAPIEN™ and SAPIEN XT™ valves. Results: The mean age was 78.6 ± 4.6 years and 5 (50%) were males. The mean Logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II were 21.9 ± 11.5% and 12.6 ± 7.2%, respectively. Procedural success was achieved in all (100%) patients using SAPIEN™ (n = 8) and SAPIEN XT™ (n = 2) valves. Almost all (n = 9) patients underwent a trans-femoral approach and percutaneous closure devices were used in the last 2 patients. Post procedural NYHA grade (1.3 ± 0.3), aortic valve area (2.0 ± 0.1 cm2) and mean pressure gradient (14.1 ± 2.7 mmHg) were nearly maintained all over the one-year-follow-up period. Conclusion: TAVI provides a safe and effective alternative to the surgical AVR in high risk patients with severe symptomatic AS. Financial issues, however, limits its application in developing countries