[Percutaneous retrograde aortic valve implantation: anesthetic strategies in high risk patients].

: Percutaneous retrograde aortic valve replacement is an alternative to conventional surgery in high risk patients. We report the anesthetic strategies in our first year of experience with this technique. We have retrospectively reviewed the medical files of the first 15 patients submitted to percutaneous retrograde aortic valve implantation. Sedation was the most frequent anesthetic technique employed (73%) and general anesthesia was required in 27% of patients. One patient was submitted to emergency surgery immediately after the procedure, two patients needed permanent pacemaker and two patients died in the first 72 h. There were no anesthesia-related complications. In most patients percutaneous retrograde aortic valve replacement can be performed safely under deep sedation. General anesthesia can be necessary and should be available for more complex cases.