Temperature-triggered nitinol manipulation for explantation of self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves: a case report

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve explantation is the fastest-growing cardiac operation in the United States, yet optimal techniques are not well-defined. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case of explantation of a self-expanding CoreValve Evolut PRO valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). CONCLUSIONS: This report demonstrates a reproducible technique that leverages the temperature-dependent properties of nitinol to facilitate safe surgical explantation of self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves.