Iterative Learning of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement in Mitral Valve Annulus Calcification: Management and Prevention of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Dislocation

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement using balloon-expandable valves is an emerging technique for the treatment of patients with significant mitral regurgitation who have been judged to be inoperable owing to significant mitral valve annulus calcification. Although initial reports have been promising, there remains a lack of consensus as to how to plan for transcatheter mitral valve replacement deployment in terms of appropriateness, sizing, and positioning to mitigate the risks of valve displacement and paravalvular regurgitation. We describe two cases of transcatheter mitral valve replacement in patients with significant mitral valve annulus calcification. The first was complicated by valve displacement into the left atrium, which was successfully managed by surgical redeployment and fixation. The second case was thereafter performed successfully using iterative learning and the application of specific preprocedural planning techniques acquired from a root cause analysis of the first case. We describe our experience with both cases and the specific planning principles required to prevent transcatheter mitral valve replacement displacement in patients with mitral valve annulus calcification.