Transcatheter mitral valve implantation: a percutaneous transapical system.

Objectives: Despite recent achievements, implantation of a transcatheter mitral valved stent remains challenging. In this study, we present a different approach for implantation of a percutaneous mitral valved stent.

Methods: Percutaneous transapical access is combined with, respectively, a left-transatrial, right-transatrial/transseptal or transfemoral/transseptal approach for mitral valve stent implantation and secure fixation. The apical fixation and occlusion are ensured with an Amplatzer occluder. This novel approach was tested in 22 porcine hearts in an in vitro setting under the guidance of fluoroscopy ( n  = 11) and endoscopy ( n  = 11). The in vitro setup included continuous flushing at 37 °C. We determined the feasibility, time of implantation, stent deployment and stent fixation.

Results: Percutaneous mitral valved stent implantation was successful in all cases. Good handling properties and precise positioning were achieved. Time of implantation was comparable in the fluoroscopic and endoscopic groups at 10:41 ± 3:18 and 10:09 ± 2:42 min, respectively. Apical fixation with the occluder was excellent in all 22 cases.

Conclusions: The feasibility of percutaneous mitral valved stent implantation has been demonstrated in preliminary in vitro experiments. Subsequent studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of this minimally invasive catheter-based mitral valved stent implantation.