Late migration of transcatheter aortic valve replacement prosthesis
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established therapy for severe aortic stenosis, particularly in high-risk surgical candidates. While procedural success rates are high, valve migration remains a rare but serious complication, especially when occurring long after implantation. We report a case of late antegrade migration of a TAVR prosthesis presenting as new-onset heart failure nearly one year after successful implantation. A 77-year-old male with a history of hypertension and chronic lung disease underwent TAVR with a 27 mm NAVITOR (Abbott, USA) valve. Post-procedural recovery and early follow-up were uneventful. However, the patient later developed progressive heart failure symptoms. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed elevated transvalvular gradients, prompting further evaluation with computed tomography and fl uoroscopy, which confi rmed migration of the valve into the ascending aorta. Given the anatomic challenges and heavy native valve calcifi cation, the Heart Team opted for surgical explantation and bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. The patient recovered well postoperatively and remained asymptomatic at three-month follow-up with normal valve function. This case underscores the importance of long-term surveillance after TAVR and highlights the potential for late mechanical complications. Early recognition through advanced imaging and individualized Heart Team decision-making are essential for optimal outcomes in such rare scenarios.
Authors
- Georgi Goranov (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2760-8476)
- E Georgieva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0730-9396)
Institutions
- Medical University Plovdiv (BG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Bulgarian Cardiology
- Published
- 2025-12-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3897/bgcardio.31.e165716
- Primary Topic
- Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00