A Novel Computed Tomographic Angiography Tortuosity Index to Predict Successful Sentinel Cerebral Embolic Protection Delivery for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Percutaneous transradial placement of the Sentinel cerebral embolic protection device (CEPD) (Boston Scientific) is indicated during transcatheter aortic valve replacement to capture embolic material in patients without excessive tortuosity of the right subclavian/innominate arteries. We aimed to generate a quantitative tortuosity index (TI) from the preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) as an objective measure of tortuosity to determine suitability for CEPD placement.

Methods: Eighty-one patients considered for CEPD were included in this study.