JRSM Cardiovasc Dis. 2026 Apr 24;15:20480040261445492. doi: 10.1177/20480040261445492. eCollection 2026 Jan-Dec.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a key component of preprocedural planning for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Although current guidelines recommend electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated acquisition of the aortic root, non-ECG-gated CTA protocols are still used in clinical practice. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical feasibility and safety of a non-ECG-gated CTA protocol for TAVI planning.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre observational study including 194 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between January 2012 and December 2024 and were planned using a non-ECG-gated, single-phase CTA protocol. CTA-derived anatomical measurements were used to guide prosthesis selection and vascular access planning. Clinical outcomes were assessed during the index hospitalization and up to 30 days.
RESULTS: CTA measurements were successfully used to guide prosthesis sizing in all patients. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 3.6%, stroke or transient ischaemic attack occurred in 1.5% of patients, and vascular complications were observed in 6.7%. Conduction disturbances occurred in 38.1% of patients, while new permanent pacemaker implantation was required in 3.1%. Paravalvular leak (PVL) was predominantly mild; no cases of severe PVL were observed, and no patient required surgical or interventional correction for PVL.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a non-ECG-gated CTA protocol appears feasible and may support TAVI planning in selected centres with experienced teams. In this single-centre experience, a non-ECG-gated CTA protocol provided sufficient anatomical information for TAVI planning, with acceptable short-term clinical outcomes. While ECG-gated CTA remains the reference standard, this approach may represent a pragmatic alternative when integrated into a structured workflow.
PMID:42058950 | PMC:PMC13121482 | DOI:10.1177/20480040261445492