Multi-slice CT (MSCT) imaging in pretrans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) screening. How to perform and how to interpret

• Main Authors: George Latsios, Themistoklis N. Spyridopoulos, Konstantinos Toutouzas, Andreas Synetos, George Trantalis, Konstantinos Stathogiannis, Vassiliki Penesopoulou, George Oikonomou, Elias Brountzos, Dimitrios Tousoulis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2018-01-01
• Series: Hellenic Journal of Cardiology
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1109966617303998

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease among elderly. Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established and effective alternative therapeutical procedure for inoperable and high-risk patients with symptomatic AS. The procedural success is greatly dependent on a thorough pre-TAVI imaging screening. This requires a comprehensive and multi-modality approach, in which multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) is the cornerstone in the selection of eligible patients, in choosing the appropriate prosthesis and size, and in mapping the safest access route for the intervention. From our experience of more than 400 TAVI procedures and many more MSCTs for screening purposes, we provide clinical and technical details on the use of MSCT pre-TAVI and brief review of the knowledge so far. Keywords: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, Multi-slice computed tomography