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"Are There Size Limitations For The SAPIEN Aortic Valve Replacement?" Asks Anita

By Adam Pick on February 21, 2012

I just received an interesting question from Anita about the SAPIEN heart valve replacement.

Anita wrote to me, "Hi Adam, My dad is not doing very well. At 86, he's been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. We understand that he might be a candidate for the SAPIEN valve. My dad is a big guy. I'm curious to know if the valve can expand to fit all valve sizes. Or, are there limitations given the size of the catheter? By the way, what is the normal size of an aortic valve?"

Edwards SAPIEN Aortic Valve Replacement

I wanted to provide Anita an expert opinion so I contacted Dr. Craig Smith, the principal investigator for the SAPIEN clinical trials.

Dr. Craig Smith

In response to Anita's question, Dr. Smith offered several insights. First, he addressed the available sizes and constraints of the SAPIEN aortic valve replacement:

The SAPIEN valve comes in two sizes (23 and 26 mm), with a 29 mm size that is just beginning to be used in the US. At least 80% of patients are treatable with the 23 or 26 valves. Relatively few "normal" valves are smaller than 18 mm or larger than 26 mm, as they are measured by echocardiography or CT scan. A "big" man doesn't necessarily have a "big" valve, especially if "big" refers to weight more than height. There are size limitations for the valve delivery system based on the size of the major blood vessels in the lower body, but the transapical delivery alternative allows most patients to be treated regardless.

Dr. Smith then addresses the utility of the SAPIEN relative to other traditional, surgical approaches and devices:

If this man is in good general health for an 86-year-old, the SAPIEN valve might not be a relevant consideration, and he should have conventional open-heart aortic valve replacement (AVR). This will be true of one-third to one-half of patients over 80. If his surgical risk is moderately elevated by issues in addition to age, he would be eligible for the PARTNER II Trial of the SAPIEN valve, in which he would be randomized to receive either the SAPIEN valve or conventional aortic valve replacement (50% chance of receiving SAPIEN). If his surgical risk is extreme, as determined by one or more surgical opinions, he can receive the SAPIEN valve without being part of a trial and without being randomized. These options can be sorted out at any center participating in the SAPIEN trials. Similar trials of the CoreValve device (different design) are ongoing in earlier stages, and I'm sure any CoreValve center would be delighted to evaluate him as well.

Thanks to Anita for her question and a special thanks to Doctor Craig Smith, cardiac surgeon, for sharing his clinical experience with this new device.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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