Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Report
The report below describes a patient undergoing a transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The entire procedure has been documented in detail, describing the step by step process used by doctors to carry out the surgery. Keep reading for more on how this procedure was performed.nnDo you have a complicated surgery case that needs help with coding? Welter Healthcare Partners would love to help! Please upload the operative note by clicking on the link below. Remember to remove ALL patient protected health information and organization identifiers. Welter Healthcare Partners will not use any medical records submitted in which PHI is not removed and protected. nn– Click Here to Submit Redacted Surgery Case Study –nnDate of Procedure: XX/XX/20nnReferring Physician: A.M., MDnnPerforming Physicians: L. V., MD and S. P., DO. Both co-surgeons participated jointly in this catheter-based procedure.nnAssisting Physician: S. L., MD. A second interventional cardiologist was required for this procedure due to complex anatomic factors resulting in the need for a second operator with complex catheter training.nnAnesthesiologist: A. T., MD and R.S., MDn
Pre-Procedure Diagnoses:
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- Severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis
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Post-Procedure Diagnoses:
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- Successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement 23 mm Sapien Ultra
- No significant paravalvular regurgitation.
- Transvalvular mean gradient was reduced from 57 mmHg to 3 mmHg
- Aortic valve pathology: Tricuspid
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Procedures Performed:
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- Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement
- Balloon aortic valvuloplasty using an 18 mm Z-med balloon
- Ultrasound guidance for arterial and venous access.
- Aortography
- Perclose Proglide deployment
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nIndications 89 year old female with a history of severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. The patient was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team and deemed an appropriate candidate for TAVR.n
Description of Procedures:
nThe patient was brought to the hybrid operating room in the fasting and non-sedated state. The patient underwent monitored anesthesia care and was prepped in the usual sterile fashion. Transthoracic echocardiography was obtained for baseline assessment. Using ultrasound guidance and a micropuncture needle, the left femoral artery and left femoral vein were punctured and a 6 Fr sheath and 6 Fr sheath were, respectively, placed using the Seldinger technique. The right femoral artery was punctured and pre-close with Perclose devices was performed. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) was administered to achieve a goal activated clot time (ACT) > 250 sec. A 14 Fr E-Sheath was placed without difficulty.nnA transvenous pacemaker was placed in the right ventricle and threshold testing was performed. A pigtail catheter was advanced into the aortic root and aortography was performed to confirm co-planar angles. The aortic valve was crossed with a AL1 catheter and simultaneous aortic and ventricular pressures were obtained. Next, a Safari wire was placed in the left ventricle. After aortography was performed, an 18-mm Z-med balloon was delivered. After rapid pacing started, balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed using the Z-med balloon, which was inflated at nominal pressure, and deflated. This was removed via the sheath.nnA 23 mm Sapien Ultra Valve was prepped according to manufacturer’s recommendations. The delivery system was introduced into the descending aorta and the valve was mounted onto the balloon in the usual fashion. The Sapien valve was then advanced across the stenotic aortic valve and carefully positioned during aortography. The valve was deployed during rapid pacing at 180 bpm. The delivery system was removed and transthoracic echocardiography revealed no significant paravalvular leak and a mean gradient of 3 mmHg.nnThe pacemaker was removed and iliofemoral aortography revealed absence of vascular complications (e.g. dissection, perforation). The E-sheath was removed and hemostasis was achieved with application of the Perclose Proglide devices. The contralateral arterial sheath was removed and hemostasis was achieved with application of a Perclose Proglide device. The venous sheath was removed and hemostasis was achieved with application of a Perclose Proglide device.n
Hemodynamics:
nBaseline aortic valve gradient: Mean 57 mmHg Final aortic valve gradient: Mean 3 mmHgnnEchocardiography: Refer to the separate TTE note for full details of the findings. Briefly, there is severe aortic stenosis at baseline. Following implant of a 23 mm Sapien Ultra valve, the gradient improved from 57 mmHg (from previous echo) to 3 mmHg. There is no significant paravalvular regurgitation. No new pericardial effusion at the conclusion of the procedure.nnEstimated Blood Loss: < 50 cc nnComplications: None apparent nnImplantations: 23 mm Sapien Ultra Valve nnContrast: 100 ccn
Summary:
nThe patient underwent successful balloon aortic valvuloplasty and transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis using a 23 mm Sapien Ultra valve. The procedure was without apparent complication.n
Recommendations:
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- Transfer to the ICU in stable condition.
- Bedrest for 6 hours.
- Aspirin 81 mg daily starting tomorrow morning.
- Restart Eliquis 5 mg po BID in 6 hours if no bleeding issues.
- Transthoracic echocardiogram to be performed tomorrow to re-evaluate valvular hemodynamics
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Please find the latest updates from the major commercial health insurance payers in Colorado with more information on how they will be handling COVID-19 moving forward. As you very well know, the health plans have been changing their policies and procedures in response to COVID-19 as the Public Health Emergency (PHE) continues to unfold. These rolling changes will impact benefits for members and will also influence some of the services you may provide.
It is not breaking news that COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of society and our overall health. In an August 14, 2020 release from the American Medical Association (AMA), the under-reported issue of opioid-related overdoses is discussed. Read below to find out more.nnAccording to this brief, “More than 40 states have reported increases in opioid-related mortality as well as ongoing concerns for those with a mental illness or substance use disorder in counties and other areas within the state”. Included in this brief are links for individual state reports regarding substance abuse and the AMA’s request for action by governors and state legislatures.nnWhen managing patients with chronic pain who have been prescribed opioid treatments there are certain requirements these patients must adhere to in order to remain on opioid treatment. These requirements, like almost every other aspect of our lives has been interrupted. What is your practice and clinical staff doing to stay compliant with opioid prescriptions?nn
With COVID-19 being a huge concern when considering sending your kids back to school, educational facilities are advised to be extra diligent in their cleaning, disinfecting, and social distancing procedures. Still though, sending your child to school during a pandemic can cause your stress levels to increase. Take a look at the articles provided below to gather some back to school advice from medical professionals.nnAny parent will tell you that stress levels leading up to the start of a new school year are bad enough in a normal year. Now enter COVID-19, and parents, teachers, administrators and even students can increase stress levels to dangerous levels.nnSo here are a few great links we think can help you make informed decisions regarding your children.n