Infective endocarditis in transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Abstract

Since the first transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) this method has spread out widely. Originally, this method was indicated for inoperable and high-risk patients; nowadays it has FDA approval even for low-risk patients.

As any invasive procedure, TAVI is also associated with complications, including prosthetic valve endocarditis (TAVI-IE). The incidence of TAVI-IE is reported to be 0.2-3.4 % and its mortality up to 67 % at two years after confirmation of the diagnosis.

The aim of this article is to review current knowledge on this serious complication.

Keywords

• prosthetic valve endokarditis
• TAVI
• TAVI-IE
• antibiotic prophylaxis
• vegetation
• periannular complication
• baloon-expandablevalve
• self-expandable valve
• paravalvular regurgitation