Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the slow balloon inflation technique: making balloon-expandable valves partially repositionable.

In transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures using balloon-expandable valves, the valve is deployed by rapid balloon inflation within a short period of rapid ventricular pacing. This system and deployment technique is generally considered to be nonrepositionable. We illustrate with two cases (transapical and transfemoral) the possibility to partially reposition the valve during its deployment if a slow balloon inflation technique were employed-a technique that may minimize the risk of valve mal-positioning and its attendant complications.