701 ECMO assistance during TAVI in high-risk patient with recent COVID-19 pneumonia. (8th December 2021) - Vizzari, Giampiero
Abstract: Methods and results: A 87 years old woman, with history of dyslipidemia and permanent Atrial Fibrillation, already undergone full SARS-CoV2 vaccination few months before, referred to our E.R. with complain of dyspnoea and chest pain. COVID-19 molecular test resulted positive and CT Scan of the chest confirmed the presence of several areas of ground-glass opacity and consolidation together with bilateral pleural effusion (right 6 cm with pulmonary atelectasis; left 2 cm), not requiring drainage. Moreover, it showed severe calcification of both the aortic valve and root. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed eccentric LV hypertrophy with diffuse hypokinesia (EF 20–25%), ectatic ascending aorta (45 mm) with severe LF-LG aortic stenosis (AVAi 0.19 cm 2 ) and moderate regurgitation, moderate-severe mitral regurgitation. During hospitalization in the COVID-19 Unit, despite O2 therapy she experienced worsening of the respiratory status with concomitant pulmonary oedema, hypotension and acute kidney injury, requiring administration of i.v. dobutamine and high dose diuretics. After gradual stabilization and COVID-19 negativization on 10 th molecular test, she was transferred to our Coronary Care Unit. Coronary angiography showed absence of significant stenoses in the main vessels. In the following days the patient underwent a new clinical deterioration with dyspnoea, hypotension (BP 85/50 mmHg), oliguria and ankle swelling, requiring Ventimask O2 therapy and Dobutamine infusion. Transtoracic echocardiogram confirmed EF of 25% with PASP 30 mmHg. We decided to perform a 'Rescue' TAVI procedure, facilitated by extra-corporeal cardiac and respiratory support. CT Angiography of the chest, performed with low-dose contrast injection under amines infusion, showed severly calcific aortic valve with large sizes of the ring (Virtual Basal Ring area 620 mm 2, perimeter 91 mm), measures compatible with the largest sizes of TAVI prostheses. After Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation, we performed the implantation of a 34 mm Evolut R (Medtronic) TAVI prosthesis, post-dilated with 24 mm balloon for under-expansion due to massive calcification. During both self-expandable TAVI delivery and balloon inflation the patient underwent two phases of cardiac arrest, during which the ECMO flow provided a proper circulatory support. Conclusions: Since percutaneous valve replacement the patient's recovery was fast with rapid ECMO removal and discontinuation of inotropic therapy. Few weeks after discharge, at first follow-up examination, the patient appeared asymptomatic, in excellent clinical conditions.