Key result
Diluted propofol acts as a chemical lubricant to safely disengage a ruptured balloon during TAVI.
Why the study?
Balloon rupture during transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a rare but life-threatening complication requiring effective bailout strategies.
Does diluted propofol as a chemical lubricant facilitate safe balloon disengagement following balloon rupture during TAVI?
Case Report (n=1)
Does diluted propofol as a chemical lubricant facilitate safe balloon disengagement following balloon rupture during TAVI?
Diluted propofol can be used as a novel chemical lubricant to facilitate safe balloon disengagement following balloon rupture during TAVI.
May offer bailout option in rare TAVI balloon rupture; hypothesis-generating case report requiring prospective validation.
Balloon rupture during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a rare but life-threatening complication. We report a successful bailout strategy following TAVI balloon rupture during the deployment of a 24.5 mm Myval valve. Upon partial inflation failure, the valve and ruptured balloon were retracted into the descending aorta. To overcome friction, diluted propofol (1 mg in 10 mL saline) was injected through the balloon lumen as a chemical lubricant, facilitating safe balloon disengagement. Following en bloc removal of the damaged system and placement of a new sheath, the first valve was intentionally deployed in the descending aorta using a sequential balloon expansion strategy (20 mm followed by 27.5 mm). A second 24.5 mm Myval valve was subsequently implanted at the native annulus without complications. This case highlights the novel use of propofol lubrication as a rapid, effective endovascular bailout technique.
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Akyüz et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Balloon rupture during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) (n=1). Diluted propofol as a chemical lubricant was evaluated on Safe balloon disengagement and successful valve implantation. Injection of diluted propofol through the balloon lumen acted as an effective chemical lubricant to facilitate safe balloon disengagement following rupture during Myval TAVI.
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