01/04/2026
Extremely Complex Valve in Ring (VIR) procedure: effective use of gooseneck snare catheter for successfully shift to a Valve in Valve in Ring procedure (VVIR).
A patient with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in previous surgical annuloplasty with a complete semirigid ring was scheduled for a procedure of valve in ring with a balloon expandable device. The native valve showed significant degeneration with flail and partial rupture of the anterior leaflet. The CT excluded risk of LVOT obstruction. After transeptal puncture and septoplasty the prosthesis was delivered in rapid pacing. The immediate result showed significant residual MR because of limited pop up and tilting of the device and the interference of native rupture leaflet on the opening movement of the prosthesis leaflet. The prosthesis was overstretched with a balloon but the result was really bad with worsening of MR, tilt effect and instability of the prosthesis. So we decided to delivere a second device for a VVIR procedure. In order to avoid the really high risk of embolization of the first device during the crossing a gooseneck snare catheter was used from controlateral femoral approach to modify the landing angle of the catether. The strategy was successful with an effective release and complete resolution of MR. Thanks to all guys of Gavazzeni cathlab for the great job and support.