Orlando Piro

Dr. Orlando Piro


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
6 November 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
OPOrlando Piro
Orlando Piro
MGMattia Granato
Mattia Granato
SCSimona Covino
Simona Covino
ECEmanuele Cigala
Emanuele Cigala
CCCrisci Crisci
Crisci Crisci
ELEmilio Di Lorenzo
Emilio Di Lorenzo
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the default therapy for most elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis, but outcomes in complex anatomy depend on imaging-guided planning and disciplined technique. This article aims to present our institutional approach, supported by the current literature, in managing several challenging anatomical scenarios. We focus on seven high-impact scenarios—bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), hostile transfemoral access, iliofemoral/aortic tortuosity, adverse aortic angulation, heavy annulus/Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT) calcification, small annulus, and risk of coronary obstruction—and propose a practical approach to minimize the risk of complications. In BAV, current generation transcatheter heart valves (THV) achieve favorable early outcomes when sizing accounts for supra-annular constraints and implantation depth is tailored. Transfemoral access remains dominant in contemporary registries, yet a meaningful minority of cases require adjunctive peripheral vascular intervention to enable THV delivery-system passage. In case of annulus or LVOT calcification, small annuli, complex aortic anatomy, high risk for coronary obstruction, and pre-procedural Computed Tomography (CT) allow for an accurate sizing of THV and tailored procedural planning. A structured, CT-driven pathway that links anatomic findings to specific facilitation and bailout steps can standardize decision-making and improve safety across these challenging scenarios. We strongly highlight the importance to build a network where most complex procedures are carried out in Valve Centers where expert operators are trained to manage high volume, high complexity, and difficult complications.