Transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with cardiogenic shock

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been introduced to treat patients at high risk for conventional surgery; however, cardiogenic shock is considered a contraindication for TAVI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate early and intermediate mortality of patients in cardiogenic shock undergoing TAVI as a rescue procedure. Patients in cardiogenic shock underwent transapical TAVI with Edwards SAPIEN (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) prosthetic valves. Preoperative, perioperative and 1-year follow-up data were analysed. Analysis included 358 patients. Preoperative cardiogenic shock was present in 21 (5.9%) patients. EuroSCORE (cardiogenic shock 73.1 +/- 18.9% vs. non-cardiogenic shock 36.0 +/- 18.7%; P < 0.0001) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (cardiogenic shock 50.8 +/- 28.1% vs. non-cardiogenic shock 16.7 +/- 12.2%; P < 0.0001) were significantly higher in the cardiogenic shock group, and left ventricular ejection fraction (cardiogenic shock 26.0 +/- 13.1% vs. no-cardiogenic shock 51.4 +/- 13.0%; P < 0.0001) was significantly lower. Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in the cardiogenic shock group (cardiogenic shock 19% vs. non-cardiogenic shock 5%; P = 0.02) and 1-year survival significantly lower (cardiogenic shock 46% vs. no-cardiogenic shock 83%; P < 0.0001). At Cox regression, EuroSCORE was the sole determinant for follow-up mortality (odds ratio = 1.02; P = 0.04). TAVI in patients who are in cardiogenic shock is feasible. Although the early and late outcomes are encouraging, a structured strategy should be developed and further experience is needed.