Transient increase in pressure gradients after termination of dual antiplatelet therapy in a patient after transfemoral aortic valve implantation

摘要

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered a transformational novel technology for the treatment of severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. It has been rapidly adopted in the clinical arena and meanwhile evolved to the standard of care for inoperable and an acceptable alternative for high-risk but operable patients.1-2 In analogy to surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement, anticoagula-tion with vitamin K antagonists is not deemed necessary after TAVI. However, dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel is recommended for 6 months2 after the procedure, although this treatment regimen is not supported by any scientific evidence.