Calcium Load in the Aortic Valve, Aortic Root, and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract and the Risk for a Periprocedural Stroke
Background: Periprocedural stroke during transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a rare but devastating complication. The calcified aortic valve is the most likely source of the emboli in a periprocedural stroke. The total load and distribution of calcium in the leaflets, aortic root, and left ventricular outflow tract varies from patient to patient. Consequently, there could be patterns of cal