How to manage left ventricular embolization of the transcatheter valve

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a treatment alternative for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who are not eligible for conventional open aortic valve replacement. We describe a case of a rare but serious complication in the form of ventricular embolization of an Edwards Sapien-XT aortic valve following its transapical implantation. The valve was successfully captured and reimplanted into the aortic annulus, which did not require conversion to median sternotomy or use of extracorporeal circulation.