Treatment of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Thrombosis

Transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) thrombosis may manifest as subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT) and clinical valve thrombosis. SLT is relatively common (10%-20%) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement, but clinical implications are uncertain. Clinical valve thrombosis is rare (1.2%) and associated with bioprosthetic valve failure, neurologic or thromboembolic events, heart failure, and death. Treatment for TAV thrombosis has been understudied. In principle, anticoagulation may prevent TAV thrombosis. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants, as compared to antiplatelet therapy, are associated with reduced incidence of SLT, although at the cost of higher bleeding and all-cause mortality risk. We present an overview of existing literature for management of TAV thrombosis and propose a rational treatment algorithm. Vitamin K antagonists or non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants are the cornerstone of antithrombotic treatment. In therapy-resistant or clinically unstable patients, ultraslow, low-dose infusion of thrombolytics seems effective and safe and may be preferred over redo-transcatheter aortic valve replacement or explant surgery.